THUNDER BAY -- Christmas just got a little brighter for students at Sherbrooke Public School.
On Monday children and teachers at the Northwood ward school helped unload a transport truck full of present-laden boxes, shipped to Thunder Bay from Helping Hands Cobourg, a southern Ontario charity that helps provide people in need with gifts for the holiday season.
Organized by Grade 3 teacher Melissa Gray, who first worked with the organization last year while teaching at McKellar Park Public School, she said she was overwhelmed when the truck’s driver swung open the doors to reveal what was inside.
“Over the last few months they’ve been collecting all these amazing items for us, from sporting equipment to books to toys to outdoor clothing and indoor clothing … so that our kids can have a nice Christmas this year,” Gray said.
“It’s amazing. It’s more than I expected for sure. It’s an unreal experience and I think it’s something these kids have never had before that makes these hard times around Christmas really nice and happy for them.”
Students had no idea what they were helping to unload, though some of the older, more savvy students could read the labels on the boxes and might have started to piece things together.
Gray said the plan is for teachers and school administrators to unpack the boxes over the next couple of days, then to invite families to the school to pick out things they might want or need.
School principal Robin Tabor-John said she was blown away by the generosity exhibited by Helping Hands and Cassidy Trucking Services, who transported at least eight pallets full of boxes to Thunder Bay.
“I was totally overwhelmed,” she said.
“Melissa has been organizing this for quite awhile, but it’s gone completely beyond what we expected would be on the truck. It’s incredible.”
