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Okotoks school still running annual giving campaign

St. John Paul II Collegiate collecting gift cards, monetary donations for annual Backpack Campaign to provide basic needs for families in need.

An Okotoks school is working hard to provide for those in need at Christmas despite having to change up its annual giving project.

Staff and students at St. John Paul II Collegiate are collecting gift cards and monetary donations in lieu of personal hygiene or winter clothing items for this year’s Backpack Campaign.

The traditional backpack-stuffing was unable to take place due to COVID restrictions, but teacher Stacey MacNeil and vice-principal Jennifer Quinlan, who organize the annual event, didn’t let that stop them from leading the way in providing for the community.

“It was just like, ‘What are we going to do, how can we do it, how can we do it safely?’” said MacNeil. “We’ll help out in the same way, just differently.”

Ordinarily more than 500 backpacks are loaded with about $100 worth of basic necessities like shampoo and conditioner, shaving gel and other toiletries, socks, blankets, hand sanitizer, feminine hygiene products and other necessities, as well as gift cards.

This year, a handful of backpacks will be given out to families that have been identified as in particular need but with current COVID-19 regulations there isn’t capacity to pack up the same number of bags as in the past.

Gift cards and cash donations are being accepted. Financial contributions will be used to help fill the few backpacks SJPII staff is able to put together, and the remainder of gift cards and cash will be given to Magic of Christmas to help bolster the organization’s fundraising, which is down by half this year.

“We’re hoping to provide gift cards for Walmart, Shoppers Drug Mart, grocery stores, to still provide the families with the toiletries and gifts we would include in the backpacks, but we’re just doing it differently this year,” said MacNeil.

Students and families were able to bring gift cards ahead of moving to online school, and donations are still being accepted by staff who are present at SJPII, as well as on the school’s website, she said.

It’s important for the junior high students to still feel involved in the project, which is in its 16th year, she said. Giving to others with the Backpack Campaign has become a JPII tradition.

“We know the kids look forward to it every year,” said MacNeil. “This year we won’t be able to meet with the kids, to have the kids pack as they traditionally pack.

“This is our major project for the school, and it’s about celebrating Advent and focusing on good will.”

Every year, high school students and even past grads reach out to SJPII to help out with the Backpack Campaign, and MacNeil said it’s been hard to have to turn them away this year.

Despite not being able to run things normally, she said the hope is the community will recognize the importance of the campaign, and the need that still exists. Magic of Christmas is expecting to add between 25 to 50 families to its list this year.

MacNeil will be riding one of the Magic of Christmas buses with Quinlan, and as representatives of the school she said they’re able to bring back stories of the affect donations have on struggling families.

“We get to see very intimately and share – confidentially, of course – the impacts those donations have on our community,” said MacNeil. “The kids, through storytelling, get a feel for the need that does exist in our community.

“It’s a reminder that the things on our Christmas list are a want, and knowing there are people who are cold in our community or going to bed hungry doesn’t sit well with us.”

There is also a benefit to the mental health of students in running the Backpack Campaign in its new format, she said. It provides some normalcy for them in the midst of a period of uncertainty and anxiety.

“We always do it, we’re going to do it, and even though it looks different it doesn’t stop us from doing things to help other people,” said MacNeil. “Christmas is not cancelled.”

Donations will be accepted until Dec. 18. Gift cards or cheques can be delivered to the school, and those dropping off can call ahead to have someone meet them outside if they prefer. To give to the Backpack Campaign online, visit www.stjohnpaul2collegiate.ca/Donate.php.

Krista Conrad, OkotoksToday.ca

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