Grade 3 class helps the poor

By ANH HOANG
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

If one of their classmates forgets to bring a lunch, they are all more than happy to share theirs.

When a representative from the St. Vincent de Paul Society visited their class and said they could help the poor this Christmas by donating clothes and toys, the students pulled out their papers and pencil crayons.

They wrote letters to send home to parents and drew posters for the school hallways advertising their project, the St. Vincent de Paul Drive.

From Nov. 4 to Dec. 1, the class is encouraging students and teachers at the school to bring clothing, toys and small household items to the school.

Each morning, the students go in pairs to every classroom and collect the goods.

And every Wednesday morning, the truck from the St. Vincent de Paul Society comes to pick up their collection.

"We hope to get a million things," said one student.

"So we can give it to the poor because they don't have very much," said another.

When their teacher Georgette Girard asks them, "And whose footsteps are we following when we do this?"

"God," said a student.

"Jesus," said another.

Then they all chimed in, "St. Vincent de Paul!"

Girard hopes the project will leave them with a sense of compassion for those less fortunate.

"They're a very giving group," Girard said. "They're at an age where they think giving is still a neat thing to do.

"I wanted them to have an active role in the project. When they have an active role in it, they will remember it longer."

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