In September, Seaquam Secondary Lifeskills Teacher Shannon Miller started an Attitude of Gratitude project with her students. Her aim was to encourage students to write down one thing they were grateful for each day. The project gained traction and soon the students were looking for ways they could give back to their local community. They decided to write cards and put care packages together for seniors at a local care home to help raise their morale.
Northcrest Care Centre was delighted to get a call from Shannon asking if they would like to receive the cards and gifts from the Lifeskills class. Like many care homes, they are facing challenges as a result of the pandemic and many residents may not be able to see their families over the Christmas holidays.
“Northcrest had been looking for ways to connect with the local community, so it was completely serendipitous that I called their director, Nicki Bavis, that day to see if they might be interested in receiving care packages for their residents,” said Shannon. “Nicki was overjoyed, excited and extremely thankful that we’d reached out.”
Next, Shannon canvassed the local community via the North Delta Community Corner Facebook group to ask for chocolates and other small treats for the Northcrest residents. The North Delta community responded in force.
“I was astonished at the huge response I received and so proud of this community for stepping up. People have generously donated cash, Christmas cards, chocolate, decks of playing cards, hand lotion, nail polish, socks, crossword puzzles and ornaments,” said Shannon. “I think most of us are having a difficult time at the moment. When people give to others, it can help to relieve some of that struggle – both for the giver and recipient. Also, I truly believe – and my students agree – that it’s important for us to show other people that ‘We see you. We care about you. You matter to us and we want you to have an amazing Christmas.’
Thanks to the outpouring of support from our local community, we will be able to make more than 200 people very happy this Christmas! Seeing the local community come together over this project has been extremely powerful and emotional, and I would like to thank everyone for their support. I would also like to challenge other classes and even other schools to try something similar in their neighbourhoods – just think of how much love and happiness we can give to our most vulnerable community members with our Attitude of Gratitude initiative.”
The cards and care packages from the Lifeskills class will be delivered to Northcrest Care Centre on December 15. If you are interested in donating items or cash, please contact Shannon Miller at smiller@deltasd.bc.ca or call Seaquam Secondary School at 604-591-6166.
