École Notre-Dame-du-Sault Students Create Blankets for Charity

Students from École Notre-Dame-du-Sault have taken part in a meaningful initiative, crafting blankets for women and children in need. A group of ten Grade 7 and 8 students at the JK-12 French-language Catholic school, located on North Street, collaborated with teachers Nadine Campbell and Marie-Pier Lecours to create three fleece tie blankets. This project aims to support clients at Centre Victoria, a non-profit organization on Elgin Street that provides vital services and counselling to Francophone women facing violence and sexual assault.

The students dedicated their free time during recess to this project, demonstrating both diligence and compassion. “I really enjoyed it,” said Grade 7 student Anna-Gayle Laroulette. “It was a very good experience and I think it’s good to help people in need. It took us half a week to make the blankets. I’m going to make one for my family one day, maybe for Christmas.”

Empowering Through Craft

The inspiration for this project has a personal touch. Teacher Nadine Campbell shared that Marie-Pier Lecours had previously learned the art of blanket-making from her when she was a student at the same school. “The irony is that Marie-Pier learned blanket-making from me when she was a student at École Notre-Dame-du-Sault in Grade 6,” Campbell explained. “When she started teaching here, she asked me ‘would you like to do this with me and some of the students?’ so we decided to do it.”

The project not only serves a charitable purpose but also offers students a chance to develop practical skills. “It was very special to be able to do it for a good cause,” said Lecours. “Nadine taught me how, and I still make them. They’re my go-to gift now. So, it’s great for these girls to learn how to make them too.”

According to Campbell, the school has a tradition of making blankets each year, usually around Christmas. “It feels great, and I’ve done it for so many years with so many of my students. It’s a good feeling,” she remarked.

Community Contribution and Learning

The blankets were made using fleece purchased by École Notre-Dame-du-Sault. Campbell noted the pride the students took in their work, understanding that their efforts would benefit those in need. “They made the blankets on their own free time,” she said. “It was nice to see their interest in it. They took pride in making them, and we’ve had a conversation about how they’ll be able to make them as gifts in the future. It’s a nice skill to know.”

This initiative reflects the school’s commitment to fostering a sense of community service among its students. By blending education with charitable work, École Notre-Dame-du-Sault is not only teaching valuable skills but also nurturing empathy and social responsibility in young learners.