Youngsters at W. F. A. Turgeon Catholic Community School are learning the importance of charity and giving this semester.
On Wednesday, SaskTel Pioneers Volunteer Network representative Joan Barczai gave Donna Ostmoen’s Grade 3 class a box of free books in hopes of encouraging their charitable spirits to flourish.
The book, titled The Giving Book, sets forth charitable goals and teaches the importance of volunteerism, Ostmoen explained to students before handing out copies.
“What does the gift of giving make you feel?” she asked the classroom.
“Happy!” one student exclaimed, among others who responded with “joyful,” “proud,” and “caring.”
Barczai explained the SaskTel Pioneers program to the students as a good example of charity she hoped to instill in the youngsters.
One SaskTel Pioneers initiative has them at Prince Albert Raiders hockey games, where they scan tickets at the door on a volunteer basis, she told the students.
“In order to show our support for the Prince Albert Raiders, we volunteer at their games and help them scan tickets to make sure (spectators) get into the games.”
The act of charity isn’t new to the class, with students recently raising $31.50 for the Holy Childhood Association.
“It’s children helping children … in the different places in the world,” Ostmoen explained of the charity.
Over three Fridays, students were given the option of paying $1 for various rights in the classroom, such as chewing bubble gum.
Student Rori-Anne Armitage participated during all three weeks.
Armitage said that she took part, “Just to bring fun stuff to other … I wanted to help.”
As students go through their copies of The Giving Book, they will provide SaskTel Pioneers with stories about their efforts to give to others.
Last school year, Grade 3 students in St. Michael and St. John Community Schools filled out the book.
“We had one little guy who mowed his grandma’s lawn, but it made him feel good and it made his grandma happy -- that was his story,” Barczai said.
At the end of the program, Ostmoen’s Grade 3 class will be given $300 to give to a charity of their choice.
Last year, St. Michael students gave to the Saskatoon Zoo, and St. John students gave to the Prince Albert SPCA.
