Seven-year-old Charlotte Ailey wants every child to have a present this Christmas.
“Kids in our country and all over the world don’t have toys and we do and it’s not fair if we have toys and they don’t,” she said.
Charlotte was part of the Grade 2 class at Ecole catholique Franco-Superieur packaging and wrapping gifts for Shelter House Monday.
For 17 years, the school has collected gently used toys, sorted them and then packaged and wrapped them to bring to the shelter for children who may not otherwise receive presents on Christmas Day.
Older students also help out with the project and Genevieve Beauvais, 11, said her favourite part of the day is working with the younger children and knowing she’s helping people.
“It’s good to give back to the community to help out, show that we care,” said the Grade 6 student.
“It feels really good to know everybody is trying to help out, giving all we can do and caring.”
Vice-principal Marie-Claude DeAgazio said every year they usually deliver more than 100 gifts to Shelter House; each box has five or six items in it.
The project is a good way to teach the children there are some kids that don’t have as much as they do.
“It’s important to give and feel happiness in your heart by doing so,” she said, adding at the beginning of the toy drive each November, there are usually one or two children hesitant to participate and donate toys.
“As the collection progresses, they end up giving too because they better understand the importance of doing so,” said DeAgazio.
