'IT IS MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE' STUDENTS LEARN LESSON IN ALTRUISM.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

SAUGUS - In a small classroom at the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, about 30 eighth-graders learned a lesson of value - what goes around comes around.

Earlier in the year, the students in the catechism classes of Robert Youkin and April Jacobs pledged money for the poor. What they pledged ``was between them and God,'' Youkin said. Some promised $20, others $30.

And by end of the year, the students raised more than $540 for dozens of toys for kids less fortunate.

But what they didn't know was that Youkin and Jacobs had a trick up their sleeves. During the annual holiday party on Tuesday, where toys for the needy lay wrapped underneath the Christmas tree, each student received an envelope from Santa Claus. They opened them at the same time, and each found the same amount of money he or she had donated.

The two teachers had paid for the gifts on their own and returned the original donations.

``I didn't expect it,'' said 13-year-old Erika Pabon. ``When they told us something special was happening, I expected to see the families we donated to.''

Joey Dietrich, 13, said he would save the money for another opportunity to donate.

``We learned, when you give, you receive,'' he said.

Youkin said that was the theme of the lesson, born earlier in the year when he passed a $5 bill around class.

``I told them, if they need it, to keep it. If they don't, then pass it on because someone may need it more,'' Youkin said.

In one class, student Gillian Grassi, 13, kept the $5. But the following week, when a student asked her what happened in class, she confessed what she had done.

``I regretted taking that $5,'' she said. ``I just wanted it. I was being greedy.''

Youkin said he had been touched by his students' understanding of greed and how generous they were at a young age. He said he and Jacobs gave them the money back, hoping that they learn it's better to give than receive.

``This was a spiritual lesson,'' he told his class. ``I'm sure we can all say we have never seen Jesus, but we are doing his work.''

Susan Abram, [phone]

susan.abram(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Gillian Grassi, a student at Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School, hands gifts to Donna Elliott, a Santa Clarita Community Service Deputy, who will help give the gifts to needy children.

(2) Students Sam Smith, left, Kristin Desrosiers and Erika Pabon, get a surprise when they get their donations back.

(3) Students Danny Perez and Nicole Fischer help unload the more than 60 gifts purchased for needy families.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer