CDI gets helping hand from local kids

Every holiday season we receive tremendous support from those in our community – through work-place programs, toy drives, or special donations for children’s parties.  One of these special donors is the Mountview Alternative School, in the west end of the city. 

For several years, students from JK to grade 6, and their parents, have participated in an annual gift drive for CDI.  They begin organizing and sending notices home as early as October.  Toys, gift cards and household items flood in and are donated to the women and children in our family violence program, Here to Help.

“The children know that they are an important part of their community and that it is important to support those who need help,” says Michelle Morgan, a parent  who ran the program for many years.   “The older students, in particular, realize that children in the Here to Help program may very well be kids they play with on the schoolyard, or know in their neighbourhood.”

And Mountview students are glad to help.  “It makes me feel really, really great because when I give, I know that it probably will make somebody feel happy and I know that I made someone have a bit of a better day,” says Maya.

Another student, Antonia says, “It makes me feel that a ten year old girl, like me, can make a big difference.”

Mountview is clearly a school with a strong belief in supporting their community.  And this lesson is not lost on even the youngest participants.  Third grader, Eofer, remarks about the holiday program, “It feels great to donate.  Donating makes a difference to people’s lives.  I know that donating is important.”

Click here to read more from the students who participated

Lisa Sura-Liddell, Manager of Family Violence Services has worked with Mountview for years, and sees first-hand the difference they make.  “Their generosity and dedication to the families of the Here to Help program is truly inspiring.  Their donations give women and children a feeling of being supported by their community - something they may not have experienced before."

A sincere thank you to everyone at Mountview Alternative School, and to all the donors across the city who made the holidays brighter for children.