By Charles Lefebvre

VIDEO: Notre Dame Academy opening Christmas Store next week to help students

Dec 13, 2018 | 3:40 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Notre Dame Academy students are working to ensure all students in the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education can find the perfect Christmas gift.

The school is hosting its annual Christmas Store on Tuesday morning. Hundreds of items have been donated and are being set up in the store space at the school.

On Tuesday, kindergarten to Grade 3 students at St. Louis School will be arriving by bus to Notre Dame. Grade 7 and 8 students at Notre Dame will be assisting the students in the store with purchasing presents.

“All of the items in the store are 50 cents to $3,” said Kim Rae, a teacher at Notre Dame Academy who is helping organize the event. “They’re allowed to find items in here, one present for each person in their immediate family.”

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The older students will be taking money and wrapping the gifts for the younger students as well during the morning.

Rae says she’s impressed with how the student body gets involved.

“It’s just a really nice way to get two schools together, and have our students at our school just be good role models,” she said. “They’re so good with the kids, and that’s another aspect. It’s not just the giving, but we’re getting back from out project as well, by seeing how happy and how much fun they’re having.”

The Christmas Store has been run for the past five years, and Rae says Notre Dame plans to rotate the school able to shop at the store each year. In previous years, St. Patrick’s and St. Louis School students have been able to shop at the store.

Items are on sale for all ages, including jewellery, books, games, dishes, appliances and Christmas decorations. The items mostly come from Notre Dame students and their families.

“Every year we’ve done this, I’m overwhelmed by how generous everybody is,” said Rae.

“This year, it’s reached out. People in the community have heard about it, and dropped off boxes of stuff. We’re so appreciative.”

All of the proceeds from the store will be donated to the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank, says Rae.

Gently used items will continue to be accepted at the school until the store opens Tuesday morning.