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McRoberts Secondary's Grad Legacy campaign collected more than 5,000 items and created more than 200 care packages.

Photo courtesy Hugh McRoberts Secondary

Schools share holiday cheer

By Don Fennell

Published 12:10 PST, Fri January 5, 2018

Last Updated: 2:12 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

Aside from its original purpose, the shoebox has many uses. One of the best is Matthew McNair Secondary School’s Holiday Shoebox project.

Organized by the student-led Marlinaires, the annual event facilitated by teacher Kenneth Liu sees donors fill boxes for the less fortunate with toques, gloves, toiletries, crayons, pens, pencils and other school supplies.

“We had over 50 boxes created and delivered to an elementary school downtown,” said McNair principal Jason Leslie.

Student council at McNair has also been busy.

“Under the guidance of teacher Natasha Blair, they held their annual canned food drive as a fundraiser for the Richmond Food Bank. Equally impressive were the efforts of the school’s carpentry and law classes. The apprentice carpenters, taught by Derek Wong, made wooden toys for students to take to a school in downtown Vancouver. Organized by teacher Ranj Sangra, the law students took part in the Ignite the Warmth fundraiser raising money and bringing blankets for homeless people in the Downtown Eastside.

Students in McNair’s mini-school program hosted their annual parent pot-luck meal which attracted more than 400 people to the school. Overseen by teacher Theresa Watts, students in each grade, from 8 to 12, made raffle baskets that parents purchased tickets for. Proceeds from the raffle netted over $1,500, all of which was donated to BC Children’s Hospital.

Burnett hosts seniors brunch

J.N. Burnett Secondary School’s Leadership Club made sure some Richmond seniors enjoyed the start of the holiday season.

The club’s annual seniors brunch attracted 130 senior citizens, who were treated to a delicious meal of soup, sandwiches and dessert all served up by the students. They were also entertained by the school jazz band under the direction of Ms. Freeman, the glee club (Ms. Zuccolo) and a visit from Santa Claus.

“The students also got to know the seniors through conversation, singing, and even some dancing,” said Burnett principal Wennie Walker.

Walker added a big “thank you” is due teachers Ms. Musani, Ms. Cain and Mr. Thompson who worked with the leadership students to organize the event. Grade 12 student Elizabeth Li and a team of dedicated students canvassed local businesses for donations of door prizes, with the following groups stepping up: London Drugs, Nature’s Path, Smokehouse Restaurant, Vancouver Whitecaps, Pizza Hut, Vancouver Canucks, David’s Tea, Safeway, Starbucks, Tommy Hilfiger, Banana Republic Factory, Polo Ralph Lauren, BC Lions, Sunglass Hut, Mountain Warehouse, Crabtree and Evelyn, and Calvin Klein.

At the conclusion of the brunch, each senior received a snowman ornament prepared by Ms. Taylor and her art students. Photos from the school’s JNB photography class captured moments from the day.

“We are looking forward to continuing the fabulous Burnett tradition in years to come,” said Walker.

McRoberts launches Grads for Pads

For two weeks last November, students at Hugh McRoberts Secondary held a hygiene-based drive for its first Grad Legacy Campaign. Grads for Pads was held in part to raise awareness for accessibility, particularly among homeless or impoverished women.

All told, some 5,000 items were collected including pads, tissues, soap, deodorant, dental products and hand warmers.

The items were organized into 200 care packages and distributed in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.