MONROE — “I couldn’t imagine being a parent and not being able to give a gift to your child.”

Jamie Neu said the toys she wrapped for the Union County Christmas Bureau aren’t just for children; their parents get the gift of giving, too.

With help from fellow faculty and students, Neu and 50 classmates from South Piedmont Community College collected clothes, toys, tea sets, remote control cars, firefighter helmets, games and books for what Neu calls that one “magical” moment on Christmas morning.

Neu is part of SPCC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program. Two years ago, the class sponsored two families at Christmas. Last year, its angel tree gathered enough for 50 children, and this year, 75.

This year’s tree was dedicated to former classmate Nick Mayhew, who died Nov. 16.

Program director Joyce Long has two boys of her own. “They’re big now,” she said, but remembers their faces lighting up to unwrap gifts “no matter what’s in the package.” She said she wants other parents to feel the same joy.

One SPCC student is receiving gifts from the Christmas Bureau herself, but sold a textbook and used the money to buy an angel tree gift. Other donors used the gift drive to teach their kids about giving back. Neu’s 12-year-old daughter joined her in shopping for presents.

SPCC staff members also collected more than $1,200 to provide gifts and grocery store gift cards to five Anson County and one Union County family.

Nursing student Kristy Ratliff said those helped now are likely to help someone else later on.