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Katherine Birkenhead, Michaela Adams and Carmen Venier, students at Katimavik Elementary School, wheel out the items for family number six out of the 17 the school adopted for the holiday season through the Shepherds of Good Hope.
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Katimavik elves deliver holiday happiness JESSICA CUNHA jessica.cunha@metroland.com
The elves at Katimavik Elementary School loaded up 17 vehicles with food, presents and clothes on Dec. 16. The school has been adopting families throughout Ottawa for the past 30 years. This year, Katimavik provided Christmas and holiday cheer to 17 families living in the area. “They’re always really happy and really thankful,” said Isha Mittal, a Grade 6 student. Each family gets two to three shopping carts full of food, gifts and clothes, depending on what they need. Parents and volunteers offer their vehicles and time to drive around the city and deliver the goods to the families. “(The recipients), they’re so emotional,” said Chantal Heins, a teacher and the master elf behind the drive. “They only expect two boxes.” The school works with the Shepherds of Good Hope to identify families in need. The families go through a screening process and they provide the school with a list of dietary concerns, ages of children and what items are needed. “Ninety-eight people will be receiving gifts and food today,” said Heins, who teaches Grade 2. “This is a group effort, a community effort. I’m trying to educate our students by reaching out to our own community.” EXCITING PROCESS The students were full of excitement and eager to help fill up the vehicles lining the drive at the school. “We’re really fortunate for what we have,” said Christine Murr, a Grade 6 student taking part in the drive for the first time. “Seeing them getting the gifts, it makes me really excited that we’re helping people.” The students really enjoy being a part of the process, said Shirley Mander, a retired teacher from Katimavik Elementary who continues to volunteer with the holiday
drive. “I think it shows the children that giving is something to be treasured,” said Mander, whose granddaughter now attends the school. “I think it helps them realize how fortunate they are. “This year we’ve collected more than I’ve ever seen in gifts and food,” she said. Every family gets a turkey, unless there are dietary or religious restrictions, in which case the family gets something else for the main course. ‘SENSE OF COMMUNITY’
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The library at the school was full of boxes each baring a number from one to 17, which represented each family the school adopted. Family number five was the largest family the school adopted, with eight kids between the ages of 4 to 16. “I think it’s important because there are some families who don’t have food or gifts for Christmas,” said Katherine Birkenhead, a Grade 7 student. “It makes me feel happy because other families are feeling happy and joy.” Grade 5 teacher Trina Legault said it’s wonderful to see the students, parents and the community work together. “The kids are enthusiastic about giving,” she said. “It’s a sense of community; everyone pulls together for one common goal.” Manoj Mittal, Isha’s father and a volunteer driver for the past three years, said the hamper drive helps to give the students perspective on Christmas day. “They’re helping families who live in the community,” he said. “There’s a lot of satisfaction. As a parent I try to see what else I can do.”
During this season of peace & goodwill it is with pleasure that we pause and express our best holiday wishes.
AN IMPORTANT PROJECT “I think it’s the most important project we do all year,” said Grade 5 teacher Will Maloley. “It’s the only one that involves the entire school.” HAMPERS, see 8
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Kanata Kourier-Standard - DECEMBER 23, 2010
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Jessica Cunha