Students bring joy to local senior homes and COVID-19 hospital ward

It began with a simple idea and grew into much more. Whyte Ridge School staff were inspired by a local radio campaign encouraging Manitobans to send letters to seniors who will not get to spend the holidays with their families. One class began creating thoughtful notes and soon the entire school was making holiday cards for seniors, health care workers, and even COVID-19 patients at St. Boniface Hospital.

"Dear hospital staff: you are the stars in everyone's darkness saving lives. Thank you for working so hard," wrote Alexis, Grade 4 student, Whyte Ridge School.

Teacher, Kathy Dudych, was blown away by her young student’s compassion and pure enthusiasm to connect with others during COVID-19.

“They understand that these times are hard, and they are thankful that they get to go to school. They know some people are in the hospital or cannot see family. They have embraced this idea and as soon as they finish one card, they ask me ‘who can we write to next?” said Dudych.

Within no time, more than 400 cards were created, each one, carrying heartfelt messages and hand-drawn art. A project that started out with a desire to help others has turned into a wonderful morale booster for both students and staff.

“Every morning, I tell our kids to work hard, learn lots, and smile often, because smiling inside and out is our motto here. I have also told our kids to choose kindness. When I see them choosing kindness, and our teachers are supporting that, it makes me feel like this is a real legacy. We want Whyte Ridge to be known as having a culture of kindness,” said Val Wood, principal, Whyte Ridge School.

That kindness has now been delivered to senior homes and St. Boniface Hospital. Watch the full story on CBC Manitoba.

Mr. Bockstael’s Grade 8 class from Henry G. Izatt Middle School also created cards for St. Boniface Hospital.