NATCHEZ — It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Pleasant Acre Day School.

Mary Ann Foggo-Eidt, director of Pleasant Acre, said the adult students at the facility look forward to Christmas more than any time of the year.

Pleasant Acre accommodates eight students with learning disabilities, who at this time are ages 25 to 62, Foggo-Eidt said, and Christmas is their favorite time of the year.

“It’s the biggest time of year for them,” Foggo-Eidt said. “That’s the cherry on top of the sundae for them. Santa’s coming Thursday with gifts, and we’ll sing songs and have lunch.”

Pleasant Acre is a non-profit that relies on the generosity of donations, Foggo-Edit said. This year, she said, their biggest Christmas wish is to receive donations to aide in the repairs needed for their 15-passenger, handicap-equipped bus.

“It’s a used bus and has wear and tear and our goals are to upgrade the bus,” she said. “The air conditioner isn’t working and it has some other issues.”

Pleasant Acre was founded in 1959 to accommodate ages 5 to 16, Foggo-Eidt said. She also said some of those students still are with the school, having essentially grown into adults there.  She said donations help them to provide life skills and life enrichment for their students, such as a recent trip to the Mississippi Coast where students saw “Disney on Ice” and saw Christmas lights at the Gulfport Harbor.

“The community has sustained us for 60 years,” she said. “It’s just by the generosity of the community.”

Donations to Pleasant Acre Day School may be sent to: PO Box 1362, Natchez, MS 39121. Donors also may call 601-807-8516.