In this season of gift-giving, students in Kathy DeBona's fifth grade classroom at Western Salisbury Elementary School have learned the true meaning of a gift.

In DeBona's class, the students read a story on Newsela.com about a doctor at Johns Hopkins Medicine, in Baltimore, Md., who created affordable, artificial hands for children.

As part of DeBona's curriculum, she uses articles in the news she believes would interest the students on Mondays and Fridays and the students write about what they read.

In this particular case, the students could relate the news article to their fourth grade teacher Patti Anderson who lost her hand as a teen in a commercial laundry accident.

In the beginning of October, as a group, the students decided to send letters to Dr. Albert Chi at Johns Hopkins where he is medical director, targeted muscle reinnervation program and assistant professor of surgery.

They asked Chi to make a hand for Anderson.

"Thank you for all the hard work for young children with robotic hands," one letter read. "Can you please donate a robotic hand to my old fourth grade teacher. I care about her and that is why I am writing this letter."

Another read, "I thank you for helping other people get better. Please consider helping our fourth grade teacher."

Earlier this year, Anderson received a grant from Challenged Athletes Foundation which allowed her to purchase a cuff and two attachments called "terminals." One terminal is for bike riding and snaps on the bicycle handlebars and the other terminal is for kayaking.

Chi's research into less expensive prosthetic limb technology led him to a 3-D printer he received as a gift. He used sheets of plastic and free designs found online. He was able to make a hand of melted plastic for about $20. The story of Chi's work can be found on https:// newsela. com.

Chi's background in- cludes biomedical engineering and clinical research focused at improving the lives of individuals with traumatic injuries with an emphasis on motor control.

The hand is controlled by the wrist and hand movements.

Upon receipt of 15 letters, Chi was overwhelmed by the students' request. He asked his staff to contact DeBona Oct. 21 to relay the message he'd be happy to make a hand for Anderson and bring it to her and meet the students.

Shortly thereafter, Chi, a commissioned Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, found out he was being deployed to Djibouti, Africa Dec. 1 which made a trip to Salisbury Township impossible.

"As I was preparing to ship out, I wanted to do anything possible to have the students and teachers come here," Chi said.

On Nov. 20, the students, DeBona and Anderson boarded a bus headed to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accompanying them was a documentary camera crew associated with Newsela, principal Grace Hartman, Learning Support Teacher Mario Amato and parent chaperones.

Students were given a tour of the campus including the trauma room, MRI room and simulation lab, along with an opportunity to talk with Chi and his staff.

Now 43, Chi was in a motorcycle accident when he was in his 20s. The doctors took muscle from his back and put it in his calf but told him his legs would never be normal again.

The students said Chi told them he was not wearing a helmet and did not listen to his parents.

Chi talked with the students about good choices and encouraged them to listen to their parents and teachers.

Chi was in a wheelchair for two years and used crutches for approximately seven years.

Through determination and hard work, Chi told the students he climbed the highest mountain in Africa, ran a marathon and hiked in Peru.

After the accident, Chi tried three times to get accepted into medical school to be a trauma surgeon.

His message was, "you can conquer something even if someone says you can't," student Sophia said.

This experience en-couraged student Scott to "never give up" and student Jaelin to say "it's good to try."

"Anything is possible" Aaliyah said. "You can try something, even if you think it is not going to work," Sophia said.

Anderson was teary-eyed when presented with the hand developed by Chi.

"I have been very moved by what Mrs. DeBona and her students have done for me," Anderson said. "I have been astounded by the outpouring of love and support that has come my way because of their effort."

"Kindness really matters," DeBona said. "There are good people out there doing good things. This has been a renewal in faith in people. I am so proud of these kids."

"We learned it is good to give to others," student Savannah said. "We gave the gift of inspiration."