Learning a lesson of caring

Photo: Darren Handschuh

School is about learning, but that can be a lot more than reading and writing.

It can be about life lessons and helping your fellow man.

And that is a lesson students of Okanagan Landing Elementary School took to heart.

The school of 341 students collected 43 boxes of toques, gloves, scarves and other cold-weather attire that were donated to the Upper Room Mission.

Lisa Anderson, with the URM, visited the school Monday morning to praise the students for the success of the Warm Wishes for Hope project.

Grade 4-5 teacher Terry Petersen said the project got students thinking about other people and the challenges they face.

“Part of our focus was to look at what we have and to share it,” he said. “If you have an abundance, it's good to share. These guys are starting to figure that out.”

The students collected the items in a month and Petersen said it was not uncommon to see a student walking to school with a bag full of clothes slung over their shoulder.

“If we kept it all to ourselves it would be selfish,” said student Ashton Sutch.

Petersen said the project gave students a chance to make a difference and to enjoy the feeling of helping others in a time of need.

“They were excited about being able to help other people,” said Petersen.

Anderson said the timing of the donation could not have been better as the region is currently in the grip of a cold spell.