VIU spreads Christmas cheer

Dozens of families in the Harewood community will enjoy a brighter Christmas thanks to the generosity of students, staff and faculty from Vancouver Island University.

Hampers overflowing with food vouchers, toys, clothing and household items will be delivered to families before Christmas.

“VIU employees and students have adopted 26 families in need from John Barsby, Nanaimo District Secondary, Georgia Avenue and Fairview community schools, including teen moms with children at Little Ferns Young Moms program at John Barsby,” said VIU employee Jenn Bradley, coordinator of the Christmas hamper project with colleague Jo Acampora.

Families in need in the immediate neighborhood were referred to VIU by Harewood community schools. Each family provided a wish list of basic items they need such as soap, laundry detergent, sugar and flour.

“We’re making sure they receive a few extra special items to make their Christmas cheerier,” said Bradley.

This is the second year for the VIU Christmas hamper program. Acampora said departments, faculties and individuals at VIU volunteered to help even before the official call went out.

“One especially heart-warming story is that students from VIU’s Access Programs have done something really special,” she said. “These are students who have significant challenges themselves. They donated all the money raised from their craft and bake sale, a total of $132, to one family’s hamper. They have such big hearts and it seems that they really do understand the meaning of Christmas.”

The Christmas hamper project is part of VIU’s Good Neighbours initiative, started last year by a group of administrators and faculty. The goal is to develop positive relationships with the Harewood community.

The catalyst came from VIU Education graduate Karen Bernard, a student teacher at Fairview community school two years ago.


Bernard recognized that children were coming to school hungry and a number of families were falling through the cracks of Christmas charity. She wrote a letter to VIU President Ralph Nilson suggesting the university community take action to help its neighbours.

Dennis Silvestrone, VIU’s Dean of Continuing Education, spearheaded a series of discussions to see how VIU could help. The Good Neighbours initiative was launched soon after.

“Working with the communities we serve in collaborative ways is fulfilling our mandate as educators,” said Silvestrone. “The Christmas hamper project is just one of the initiatives we are undertaking in the Harewood community to help children and families.”


For example, Geography professor Pam Shaw had one of her classes conduct a community planning exercise in Harewood. Sports and Health professor Guy Le Masurier students are helping plan sports activities in some Harewood community schools. VIU staff and faculty serve on a food security committee which looks at ways to provide food to students.

“The Good Neighbour initiative is an excellent example of how one great idea can snowball into something significant,” said Nilson. “I am delighted to see the many food hampers across our campuses overflowing with generosity from our employees. It demonstrates the VIU spirit of giving back to the communities we serve.”