A student in Tracy Elderkin's Grade 5/6 class at Vincent Massey School works on a Christmas card. (CHAT News Photo/Ross Lavigne)

By Chris Brown

Cards and videos

Vincent Massey students giving the gift of Christmas cheer to city seniors

Dec 9, 2020 | 3:15 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Students and staff at Vincent Massey School are reaching out to the community and paying forward a little TLC this holiday season.

Grade 5/6 teacher Tracy Elderkin calls herself a huge fan of Christmas and asked the rest of the school to make Christmas cards or Christmas videos that will be delivered to seniors’ homes in the city.

“I would think that we’re probably going to run in about three, four hundred Christmas cards and then the video we have at least eight different videos coming in that I’ll put together as one,” said Elderkin. “Some people are singing different songs, some are doing a poem, I’m doing Christmas jokes with my class, some are spreading messages. Just whatever way that we can bring joy to the residents.”

You can see and hear some of the jokes below.

DEVELOPING

Medicine Hat women's shelter pitches council on supporting critical construction project

9h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Health foundation's 'Toybox Tuesday' drive aims to bring comfort to Medicine Hat's pediatric ward

13h ago

CITY HALL

'Taylor Drift', 'Darth Blader' and 'Blizzard Wizard' to hit Medicine Hat streets

17h ago

Elderkin and the students are eager to spread the joy of the season to the city’s seniors.

“I really thrive on kindness with my class, teaching kindness and the spirit of giving and so they have jumped on board fully and have been super excited. They’ve made far more cards than just one per person and so they’re just really excited to find a way because normally we go into the homes and we sing Christmas carols.”

Elderkin is also working with students on a leadership activity that challenges students to earn a toonie at home and bring it to the school. The money collected will be used to buy toys for the Salvation Army Tree of Hope and Elderkin will match donations up to $200.

Vincent Massey staff will do a dress up and decorate their vehicles for a holiday car parade through the school neighbourhoods of Northwest Crescent Heights, Northlands and Riverside on Dec. 16, beginning at 6:15 p.m.