Viscount Alexander Public School Hosts “Caring Hands Make Happy Feet” Campaign

(Pictured above: Kindergarden students Lydia (left) and Melissa stand with Melissa's older brother Garth and teacher Susan Brownlee in front of a display of donated socks and slippers.)

(Cornwall) – The students and staff at Viscount Alexander Public School (VAPS) have been focusing on the character virtue of caring by starting a holiday initiative that helps keep the feet of those in need toasty and warm throughout the holiday season.

With the recent release of the movie, Happy Feet 2, students, staff, families and friends of the school have spent the last two weeks collecting and donating new socks and slippers for the school’s “Caring Hands Make Happy Feet” campaign.

Each class spends a few minutes each day collecting socks and slippers, and hanging them on a clothesline outside their classrooms. Teacher Susan Brownlee says it’s become somewhat of a friendly competition to see which class has the most pairs of socks or slippers hanging from their clothesline.

“Right now we have about 100 pairs,” she said. “We started a similar campaign a few years ago called ‘Warm Hands, Warm Hearts’ where we would collect mittens for those in need. However, with the release of this new movie, we thought we’d try something a little different.”

Brownlee said some teachers have even taken the initiative one step further, by using topics discussed throughout the initiative in literacy lessons, or by teaching students about penguins.

“At the end of the week, we’re planning on donating our collection of socks and slippers to the Agape Centre, along with the non-perishable food items we are also collecting,” Brownlee said.

Grade 4 student Garth Shephard said he’s learned a lot about caring for others by participating in this initiative.

“My mom told me that December is the season of giving,” he said. “She and I chose quite a few varieties of socks for kids, teenagers and grown-ups.

“I think this is important for people who don’t have as much, and feel that no one cares about them,” he added. “This shows that people care about them.”  

Posted: December 20, 2011