Ecole Deer Meadow students spread Christmas cheer with heartwarming ‘Stockings for Seniors’ campaign

Ecole Deer Meadow School’s Grade 8 leadership students are feeling the Christmas spirit, thanks to a recent community service project. The school just finished delivering 75 stuffed stockings to a seniors living facility in Olds, during the school’s second annual “Stockings for Seniors” campaign.

Grade 8 student, Avery W. says, “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.”

“The day that we went to the seniors I felt happy as I smiled at all the seniors. The seniors smiled back and talked with me, which made a lot of my shyness go away. When we caroled they mouthed along to the words and loved listening to us,” says Natalie C., a Grade 6 student.

“When we went to the seniors' home it was nice when we gave the seniors their stockings. 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,” says Miller M., a Grade 6 student.

The project began several weeks ago when the leadership students distributed collection boxes throughout Olds businesses and organizations so that the entire community could participate. Items collected include puzzle books, markers, colouring books, candy, shampoo, toiletries and salty snacks. 

Then students gathered collection boxes and then packaged the contents into the stockings, making sure that each resident of the Seasons Retirement Community would receive something. Donations that were dropped off after the delivery date will be sent to Legion’s Christmas supper. 

During the visit to the senior’s facility, Hoppins’ friend Larry Arvay accompanied a Christmas carol sing-along on the guitar.

“I felt good when I was watching them clap along with us when we were singing and seeing them smile and sing along with us. I also felt good when we were giving out stockings to them,” said Kowyn O., a Grade 5 student.

The project was a joint effort between the Grade 8 leadership class led by Deer Meadow teacher Sandi Hoppins, and Kendra Weisbrodt, a Youth Empowerment & Success (YES) Coach.

Weisbrodt says, “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. Seniors and teenagers share some common traits - trying to figure out their purpose, at times feeling alone, and having a genuine desire to belong.” 

“Also, we want to teach students to be proactive in taking ownership for their mental health,” says Weisbrodt. “Giving them opportunities to contribute in our school and community provides a chance to put into practice what they are learning in our classes about social emotional well-being.” 

“There were many exceptionally beautiful things that occurred during our Stockings for Seniors event,” says Sandi Hoppins.

“The students were amazing during the stocking delivery! They connected with the seniors and held their hands, visited, and showed their hearts,” says Hoppins. 

“The behaviour was so great! They sang with love and joy and threw around kindness freely. It was such a beautiful gift that they shared. The generational gap was closed a bit… there were some tears, there were lots of smiles, and the magic twinkled.”