Students at Kanaka Creek Elementary have made up special gifts for local seniors this holiday season.
The entire school of 600 students donated part of their Halloween candy, and decorated bags with winter and Christmas designs, before adding the candy and stapling them shut with a holiday message from “Kanaka Creek Kids”.
Organized by Grade 6/7 teacher Paul Moran and Grade 4 teacher Debby Moran, the school has been making up the Christmas bags for the community for more than 15 years.
“We ask for a handful of candy from each person but many children are much more generous,” said Paul.
Paul and Debby reached out to different seniors residences in Maple Ridge, and the Maple Ridge Treatment Centre, who told them how many residents they had for the students to give to.
Students were able to make up 825 Christmas bags this year. Any left over bags or candy will be donated to the Friends In Need Food Bank.
Over the past 15 years students have donated close to 10,000 bags, said Paul.
This year they will be donating to seven seniors centres plus the treatment centre.
Paul and Debby delivered the bags the first week of December to a contact at each facility.