Deer Meadow students deliver stockings to the Seasons Retirement Community in Olds. (Supplied/Chinook's Edge)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

CAROLS AND KINDNESS

Olds students show their Christmas spirit with Stockings for Seniors delivery

Dec 24, 2024 | 9:33 AM

Students from Deer Meadow School in Olds are feeling the Christmas spirit after delivering 75 stockings to a local seniors’ living facility.

Helmed by the Grade Eight leadership team, the stockings were delivered during the school’s second annual Stockings for Seniors campaign, one of the school’s community service projects.

“When we went to the seniors’ home it was nice when we gave the seniors their stockings,” reflected sixth-grade student Miller M. “One of the people I had teared up and that made me feel good. I was also happy when I saw one senior who opened hers up started to light up in joy. It made me happy when I saw the seniors dance to the carols. It was nice to be a part of that awesome experience.”

The project began weeks ago when the student leadership team distributed collection boxes to businesses throughout Olds in an effort to get the entire community involved. Items collected through the process included puzzle books, markers, colouring books, candy, shampoo, toiletries and salty snacks.

Students then packaged the contents into the stockings, ensuring each resident of the Seasons Retirement Community would receive something.

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Donations that were dropped off after the collection date will be sent to the Legion’s Christmas Supper.

Students were joined by Larry Arvay when they visited the centre, who played guitar while they sang carols for the residents.

“I liked doing the stocking for seniors and caroling because to see all the seniors’ faces after, and even before they get their stockings, was so heartwarming and made me realize how many of them don’t get a lot of visitors. Caroling was also fun because lots of the seniors got to come out of their room, and lots even sang along,” commented Avery W., a Grade Eight student.

The Grade Eight leadership class is led by Deer Meadow teacher Sandi Hoppins and a youth empowerment and success coach, Kendra Weisbrodt.

“The goal with this initiative is to help students realize that we have more in common with our community than we realize, and that together, we are stronger,” Weisbrodt said. “Seniors and teenagers share some common traits – trying to figure out their purpose, at times feeling alone, and having a genuine desire to belong.”

Hoppins said the students’ behaviour on the trip was great and that they sang with “love and joy and threw around kindness freely.”

Deer Meadow School is part of the Chinook’s Edge School Division.