It sounded like Christmas, with the school band playing Christmas music, and looked like it, with the jolly old man himself making an appearance. Santa's not the one who brought the presents, however.

"She has a very warm place in her heart for our school. Her name is Nora Slusher," said teacher Paulette Combs.

The Slusher Foundation, for the third time, worked with Dryer's Boot and Shoes of Springfield to make these gifts possible.

"Boy, those folks do a lot of hard work. They put this all together and organize it by grade and size," said high school principal Bob Comer.

The foundation pays for the new Nike shoes, while Dale Dryer found the good deal.

"I contacted Nike, and contacted the right people who could make it happen," said Dryer.

If a student's first pair of shoes didn't fit, Dryer Shoes brought some extras, so everyone would have a pair of shoes that fit his or her feet before leaving school for the day.

"I really like them," said student Sophia Meltke.

"They look like really -- basketball," said Kory Franz.

For those who make it happen, watching the kids open their shoe boxes is a priceless gift in return.

"That's my Christmas, waiting on the kids, especially the smaller kids; they love getting a new pair of shoes, and they're so happy," said Dryer.

"When I opened my box, I was like, 'Oh my gosh! I got the shoes I always wanted!'" said Morgan Lawrence.

They're not only the shoes they wanted but, for many, ones they really needed. Nearly 70 percent of Bradleyville students receive free or reduced-priced lunches, which shows the level of economic need in the Taney County community.

"It frees money to do things they may need worse," said Comer.

Besides saving money for parents, keeping kids' feet warm, and helping them run faster, it's also a big pick-me-up for the kids.

"It does something for self esteem. I mean, 'Hey, a new pair of Nikes!'" said Comer.

The kids would like to say: "Nice of them. People spending money on all these kids out here, including us," said Brady Rogers.

"It's really nice that people pay money for us, and they don't even know us," said Sophia.

"Just thanks," said Brady.

Nora Slusher, who is 94, was not well enough to be at the school to see her gifts being given. The kids have gotten the new shoes every two years around Christmas since 2005.