Students from Kanaka Creek Elementary are using their Halloween candies this year to make Christmas a little sweeter for seniors living in centres and community members in need.
The school put together about 750 holiday treat bags to deliver to Maple Ridge senior and treatment centres as well as the food bank. It’s a project Kanaka Creek has been doing for 12 years.
“It’s about giving back to the community, making sure everyone feels special during this time of year,” said Grade 3 teacher Debby Moran. “It shows how a little act of kindness can go a long way and teaches kids empathy and compassion for others.”
The whole school donated candies for the project – everything from chocolate, lollipops and gummy bears, to licorice and caramel.
“Students look forward to this every year,” Debby said. “They want to give back to their community and to those less fortunate. Giving back makes them feel good and connects them to members of their community they wouldn’t otherwise have connections with.”
Once all the candies were collected, Debby and Paul Moran’s grade 3 and 7 classes put them into treat bags, decorated with holiday drawings and messages.
The packages are then sent off to their final destinations, where they’re received with lots of joy.
“The seniors are very receptive and look forward to their candy bags,” Debby said. “They enjoy looking at the drawings and reading the messages on the bags from the children.”
