They may have looked more like elves, but to an appreciative group of hospitalized veterans, they seemed more like Santa himself.

A group of 38 third-grade pupils representing their classrooms at Point Elementary School made a pre-Christmas visit to the veterans’ hospital at Jefferson Barracks.

Armed with goody-filled stockings, paper snowflakes, and huge smiles, the children brought cheer to their new friends at the veterans’ hospital, according to a school district news release. The pupils went room to room to make sure every veteran received a visitor, a stocking and hand-made decorations. Then it was time for singing, and the pupils performed several songs, including “Jingle Bells,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Cheryl Jungewaelter, a Special School District resource teacher assigned to Point, and Amy Will, a therapist at the hospital, organized the field trip.

“This is our second year of visiting the veterans and I couldn’t be more proud of the students,” Jungewaelter stated. “The looks on the faces of the veterans is the best Christmas present a person could receive. To see these war heroes shed tears of joy after visiting with our students is truly heartwarming.”

Point pupils and parents donated the personal care items that filled the stockings.

Parents also provided the transportation for the field trip, the release stated.