As the snow settled, five rocking horses appeared at the Libby Community Christmas Tree – awaiting new homes on Dec. 25.

Their riders, weary yet steadfast to the dedication of their donation, dismounted to present their gifts.

These rocking horses’ lives have just begun and on Christmas morning, five families will have a new trusty steed bringing smiles to the children’s faces.

“Blood, sweat and tears went into this project to make some children happy,” said Reese Jensen of the Libby High School advanced woods class. “And it feels good.”

Jensen, along with seven fellow students, spent half a semester creating these charitable horses. Supplied with a wood donation from Stimson Lumber Co., the crafty youth of the Kootenai decided to donate their projects to area families.

Woodworking instructor Sean Dever said the kids came up with the idea and was proud to see the horses going out to the community.

“It is great to see the students willing to help out the community,” Dever said. 

“It’s pretty cool to be giving them away,” woodworker Jeff Miller said.

Accepting the donation was Penny Ray, who organized the Community Christmas Tree nine years ago. She said the community tree works because of the kindness of humanity.

Families in need put their names on an ornament hanging from the tree and while present donations come in to Ray, they are given out to grace the space beneath one’s Christmas tree.

“There is a real abundance of generosity,” Ray said. “People have really come through and it is awesome to see people help people in need.”

Ray, along with her sister Cody Andrews, mother Ruth Goodrick and Suzie Owens, the Community Christmas Tree continues to flourish in Libby.

“It is not a handout,” Ray said. “It is gifts for kids, that is the main focus.”

Ray said last year they received 350 Christmas donations. As of Monday, this year’s donations numbered 370.

“When I was a child, there were no presents under the tree,” Ray said of her motivation to create the community tree. “Kids should have presents under the tree on Christmas morning.”