A Grade 3 class in Okotoks is bringing Christmas cheer to those serving Canada.
Tracey MacNeil’s class at École Percy Pegler wrote Christmas cards for members of the Canadian military on Dec. 2.
The letters will be sent to members stationed across the country and around the world.
“Mayor Bill (Robertson) taught here long ago and he asked me to do it and he brought me a box of cards,” MacNeil said. “I’ve known him for about a billion years and he knows we share the same values about community and that I would say yes if he asked.”
Not only a community-minded thing to do, it just happens to tie in with what’s going on in the classroom.
“This fits in really well with the Grade 3 curriculum because we talk about global citizenship,” MacNeil said. “We are also learning about different communities across the globe.
“Knowing that we have fellow Canadians who could be elsewhere in the world, it’s an interesting connect for the students.
“That Canada is not just a country, but a helper across the world.”
The students jumped on board right away.
“We had a really nice conversation,” MacNeil said. “Given that it is Christmas time and there’s COVID and how these armed forces members might be away from their family during these difficult time... It helps to build some compassion right away.”
The students came up with a message together. Each pupil expressed a theme of enjoying the holiday and, most importantly, stay safe.
Annabelle Harkness said she felt good and learned from sending her letter to a Canadian serving his or her country.
“I think it is a good idea because it helps the people so they don’t' feel lonely,” Harkness said. “I never thought about this before... They (the armed forces members) are doing a good job.”
The students are participating through a program with the Okotoks Kiwanis Club, which will pay for postage and mail off the students’ message.
