PHILADELPHIA, PA DECEMBER 22, 2022 − In the spirit of Christmas, State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) once again teamed up with his wife, actress and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph, for their “Smart Santa” event Miércoles afternoon.

Senator Hughes and Ms. Ralph assumed the roles of Senator Smart Santa and Mrs. Teacher Santa as they, with the help of their Team Hughes elves, visited schools across the 7th Senatorial District, and delivered more than 1,000 literacy kits to students.

Senator Smart Santa and Mrs. Teacher Santa kicked off their deliveries at Samuel Gompers Elementary School, and ended at Henry C. Lea School, which is where Senator Hughes was a student and is now part of the 7th Senatorial District.

This “Smart Santa” event is part of Senator Hughes’ latest effort to help combat what he calls the “academic pandemic,” referring, in part, to the negative impact on students’ education and learning caused by the coronavirus pandemic.