Students from St. Patrick High School line up shoulder-to-shoulder from the school down the hill to the Salvation Army, handing boxes filled with toys and food to go to 43 families once the charity had sorted the goods. - Candace Thomson/NNSL photo |
St. Patrick School feeds families
Operation Christmas gathers food and toys for 43 Yellowknife households
Candace Thomson
Northern News Services
Published Tuesday, December 24, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
More families in Yellowknife are going to get the Christmas they hoped for thanks to the students and staff of St. Patrick High School.
For the fourth year in a row, a collective of students and teachers brought in non-perishable food items and toys for the Salvation Army, something they've been doing for years.
"All of the effort we've put in over the past few months means at least 40 families are going to have a good Christmas," Susan Huvenaars told the students during an assembly before the operation began last Wednesday.
"You're going to stand in that line at 30 below and pass the boxes. Everyone has a role in that. Congratulations, we're all super proud."
Huvenaars said the whole student body was involved, from individual classrooms to student clubs and even those students who couldn't afford to donate.
"They'd still stand outside and pass the boxes," she said. "Everyone pitches in."
The atmosphere as the students lined up shoulder-to-shoulder from the school gym down the hill to the Salvation Army was jovial.
Everyone had a smile on their face, and Christmas carols were sung as large cardboard boxes of goods were handed down.
Afterward, the students gathered in the atrium of the school for hot chocolate, where they grouped around tables and talked about the deed.
"It's nice that it touches everyone, each student going down the line as they pass the box," Grade 11 student Shania Clark said. "There are probably a lot of families out there that need help, and it's good that everyone pitches in."
"I think it's a great thing and it makes you feel humbled," Grade 10 student Asmara Iverson said. "It's a great experience."
Two days later, the volunteers at the Salvation Army divided up the goods for the 43 families who would receive them.
