Peace, kindness and shoes: local students give to those in need

In front of Mother Teresa School, a number of gift bags have been attached to a fence, for anyone in need.

“It was cool to share (with) people, and if they don’t have any money, (it’s) good to share with them,” kindergarten student Gavin Rivard said.

Students painted peace signs as part of their “kindness project” and left items like gloves, shoes, books and uplifting messages.

“How does it make you feel doing that?” CHAT News asked student Charlie Rhota.

“Good..it makes people feel happy,” Rhota said, and fellow student Zaydee Shortt added, “I think there’s people who need toys they don’t have.”

Student Amaya Vossler says she participated in the gift-giving “to feel happy.”

Which is at least part of the point, said teacher Tanya Scherer.

“The smiles on the kids’ faces (I saw) when we came to hang the items up and to be part of something a little bigger than themselves, it’s pretty great. And you think kindergarten kids are pretty little, but just like Mother Teresa says you can do small things with big love and there is lots of love put into what they are displaying for other people,” Vossler said.

Students brainstormed messages to leave with their gifts, such as “you matter,” “we believe in you” or “have a great day.”

by Darren Rathwell

Peace, kindness and shoes: local students give to those in need

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