Elementary schoolteacher Roger Ford thought he had heard it all as far as requests for Santa go, with everything from plane trips to new computers making his students' wish lists.
That was until a few weeks ago when a young girl named Santana, filled in four simple words on a form asking for her Christmas wish: "for a better life."
"I've been teaching 32 years. When you wrote that it really struck me," Ford told her.
That's why Santana will be receiving gifts and donations through CTV's 5 Days of Christmas to help her achieve that wish.
A $3,500 Sylvan Learning Centre scholarship was awarded to Santana to help with her reading and math skills. And a local salon will provide a little pampering fun with a fresh haircut and highlights.
"There's no words for this," said mother Angie Dwinnell.
Chapters also donated a copy of the latest book of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series to every child in Santana's class.
Dean Pearson and staff at Save-On Foods wanted to help too, and provided an all-expenses-paid shopping trip, which filled three shopping carts full of food and presents for the holidays.
"When you see a wish like that and be part of it, that's what Christmas is all about," Pearson said. "I don't think any child should worry about having enough food in the house".
"I'm so overwhelmed, He's doing all the shopping for me," Angie said as she struggled to fill her cart in the Save-On Food aisles.
"To be able to go through a store and buy anything you want for your kids for Christmas is unbelievable. Nobody could make my Christmas any better."
With a report from CTV British Colombia's Brent Gilbert.
