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Gisele Allam wants an American Girl doll for Christmas. So it’s not surprising that she and her family chose to buy a large, brown-haired doll for a nameless child who may not have many presents under the tree.
Allam’s carefully-selected doll — “for a little girl, a six-year-old, like me,” she explained solemnly – was among a mountain of more than 500 toys, games, dolls and other gifts donated by students at Mutchmor Public School to the Children’s Aid Society for distribution to needy kids.
Talk to any teacher and you’ll find out how easy it is to get kids to help others. They just need a chance, and Mutchmor is one of many schools across the region that is providing ways for students to learn about the joy of giving around Christmas. Students at dozens of schools packed Christmas hampers, brought in dry goods for the food bank, wrote letters to seniors, held silent auctions and other fundraisers, and bought gifts for children who may not be getting many.
The kids from Mutchmor Public School have spent the last little while collecting a little over 500 toys, games, clothing and assorted other gifts to donate to charity. (From left): Gisele Allam, 6, Ella Barry, 6, Brielle Loschman, 5, Adeline Giles, 5, Henry Morris, 4, Xavier Aumeerally, 5, have a quick look at some of the toys before they gathered for an assembly to celebrate the effort.
Teaching children about helping others is an important part of developing character and empathy, said Christopher Werely, Mutchmor’s vice-principal. The “present tree” is a tradition at the school.
Some of the students at Mutchmor, on Fifth Avenue in the upper-middle class Glebe neighbourhood, are shocked to learn there are children in Ottawa who don’t have presents, enough food on the table or a Christmas tree, said Werely.
“I think their heart really goes out to them.”
While even kindergarten students like Gisele brought toys to donate, the older children in Grades 4 to 6 have developed a better understanding that other children have tougher lives, said Werely. Maybe their parents are struggling to get by, working several jobs and trying to keep food on the table, he said.
The toys were distributed to some of the 2,000 children in families that are receiving help from the Children’s Aid, said Josée Labbé, the supervisor of volunteer services for the agency. She came to an assembly at the school to thank the children for their generosity.
Parent Caroline Miouski has helped organize the present tree at the school for eight years.
“We’re lucky in the Glebe,” she said. “We have everything we need.” The toy drive helps teach kids another side of Christmas, she said. “It’s not all about making a wish list and getting a whole bunch of things.
“It’s nice to give back. Some people don’t have enough at this time of year. They might have to choose between a nice meal and gifts for the children.”
jmiller@postmedia.com
twitter.com/JacquieAMiller
查看原文...
Allam’s carefully-selected doll — “for a little girl, a six-year-old, like me,” she explained solemnly – was among a mountain of more than 500 toys, games, dolls and other gifts donated by students at Mutchmor Public School to the Children’s Aid Society for distribution to needy kids.
Talk to any teacher and you’ll find out how easy it is to get kids to help others. They just need a chance, and Mutchmor is one of many schools across the region that is providing ways for students to learn about the joy of giving around Christmas. Students at dozens of schools packed Christmas hampers, brought in dry goods for the food bank, wrote letters to seniors, held silent auctions and other fundraisers, and bought gifts for children who may not be getting many.
The kids from Mutchmor Public School have spent the last little while collecting a little over 500 toys, games, clothing and assorted other gifts to donate to charity. (From left): Gisele Allam, 6, Ella Barry, 6, Brielle Loschman, 5, Adeline Giles, 5, Henry Morris, 4, Xavier Aumeerally, 5, have a quick look at some of the toys before they gathered for an assembly to celebrate the effort.
Teaching children about helping others is an important part of developing character and empathy, said Christopher Werely, Mutchmor’s vice-principal. The “present tree” is a tradition at the school.
Some of the students at Mutchmor, on Fifth Avenue in the upper-middle class Glebe neighbourhood, are shocked to learn there are children in Ottawa who don’t have presents, enough food on the table or a Christmas tree, said Werely.
“I think their heart really goes out to them.”
While even kindergarten students like Gisele brought toys to donate, the older children in Grades 4 to 6 have developed a better understanding that other children have tougher lives, said Werely. Maybe their parents are struggling to get by, working several jobs and trying to keep food on the table, he said.
The toys were distributed to some of the 2,000 children in families that are receiving help from the Children’s Aid, said Josée Labbé, the supervisor of volunteer services for the agency. She came to an assembly at the school to thank the children for their generosity.
Parent Caroline Miouski has helped organize the present tree at the school for eight years.
“We’re lucky in the Glebe,” she said. “We have everything we need.” The toy drive helps teach kids another side of Christmas, she said. “It’s not all about making a wish list and getting a whole bunch of things.
“It’s nice to give back. Some people don’t have enough at this time of year. They might have to choose between a nice meal and gifts for the children.”
jmiller@postmedia.com
twitter.com/JacquieAMiller
查看原文...
