Submitted by Jacinta McGrath - Baltimore School
It is that time of year when most young people are making up their wish list of things they would like to receive from Jolly ol’ St. Nick for Christmas. Although there is lots of giving and receiving of gifts on the Southern Shore at Christmas, the students of Baltimore are nothing short of impressive with their generosity and giving spirit.
For a group of young people, the students at Baltimore are kind, considerate and once again have shown that little deeds can go a long way in helping to make our communities a better place for everyone.
As part of the Healthy Living class ‘Project Positive,’ several groups of students took on projects to help put a smile on the faces of both young and old this holiday season. Lynden Doyle donated clothes to the Gathering Place to help out the homeless in our province. Alicia Brophy, Francis Hayes and Evan Power collected money to purchase gifts and donated them to the Happy Tree.
Many of the students spread positive messages throughout the school to encourage their fellow peers.
William Carey, Warren Hayden and Zachery Ryan collected used books and donated them to the local Personal Care Home in Fermeuse. The Healthy Living class also wrote personal cards to the residents of the home and sent along a little care package to each person to let the residents know they are thought of during this Christmas season.
The high school students are not the only ones reaching out to others to spread some cheer. Our five Kindergarten students used the 12 days of Christmas to do a good deed each day. Everything from ‘give compliments to as many people as you can’ to ‘share something with a friend,’ the kindergartners were there to help others and were in the spirit of giving.
The Grade Five class also collected some toiletry items and donated them to the Gathering Place.
After reading the book, Give a Goat, by Jan West Schrock, the Grade 3 students decided they wanted to have a popcorn fundraiser in order to raise enough money to purchase and donate a goat to a family in need in Africa through the World Vision Organization. Their goal was to raise $100 to cover the cost of a goat, but once the word was put out, the students and staff of Baltimore generously donated a grand total of $365!
After a discussion about the best use of the donated money, the grade 3 class decided to purchase COVID-19 Support, such as protective equipment, masks, and sanitizer, Water Purification and Hygiene Kits for clean drinking water, as well as toothbrushes and toothpaste, Emergency Food Funds valued at $350, Piglets and Chicks, Hens and Roosters, and of course, a Goat.
This was a great learning experience for everyone involved and the Grade-3s encourage everyone to help children, families, and communities across the world.
We are very proud of the students at Baltimore. Their kindness towards others never ceases to amaze us. On behalf of all the students and staff at Baltimore – Merry Christmas to One and All!
