Sometimes it takes fresh eyes to witness a Christmas miracle.
When Corrie Archer took over sponsorship of the Me to We club at Kwayhquitlum middle school in Port Coquitlam she wasn’t sure what to expect.
Now, a few months later, she told the Tri-City News that she is so proud of the 30 students, she’s almost speechless.
“My heart has exploded,” says Archer, a youth worker.
Over the past few months the students have exceeded expectations with their fundraising, collecting $800 for Christmas hampers plus toys and other gifts to give out struggling families in the school’s community.
Now about a dozen families will be receiving boxes with gift wrapped presents, a gift card, groceries and even a turkey to celebrate the holidays.
“They were so terrific,” said Archer of the students who helped out as she took a break from delivering hampers Wednesday.
Like many schools, Kwayhquitlum has its share of vulnerable students who come to school hungry and the school manages to feed breakfast and lunch to about 30 of them each day, thanks to donations from Pomme Natural Market, Cobbs Bread, Safeway, the Port Coquitlam Rotary Club and Walmart.
“It’s thanks to the community that we can help our families,” Archer said.
Meanwhile, Rochester elementary school is also excited about its fundraising program that generated food for the food bank run by Share Family and Community Services.
Helen Boulanger’s Grade 4/5 class was inspired by students who attended a Me to We concert and made stretchy bead bracelets to raise funds for two goats, a water kiosk for an African family and food for the food bank.
As well, Monica Anderson's grade 4/5 class helped to collect 178 paper bags of food, toiletries, toys and 400$ in monetary donations for the food bank.
“Both classes were a good example of our school’s values of service to others,” said Boulanger in an email to the Tri-City News.
