VIU Spreads Holiday Cheer in Harewood

Canadian and international students enrolled at The High School at VIU baked and sold cupcakes to raise funds to fill a hamper for a Nanaimo family. Left to right: Willie Wyse, Rin Coulter, Pascal Jordan and Nataliya Subocheva.

December 19, 2014 - 3:30pm

Canadian and international students attending Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) High School, as well as VIU staff and faculty, are making the holiday season magical for 16 families in the Harewood community.

Hampers overflowing with food vouchers, toys, clothing and household items were delivered to families December 19 as part of the annual Christmas hamper program.

Grades 10 to 12 students enrolled at The High School at VIU’s Nanaimo campus baked and sold cupcakes to raise money to fill a hamper.

“I am so proud of the leadership, generosity, caring and enthusiasm exhibited by our students at The High School,” says principal Catherine Brazier. “It has been inspiring to watch students from the Nanaimo area and from many countries around the world come together to support a family in our community. Truly the spirit of Christmas!"

“The generosity of our employees is amazing,” adds Jenn Bradley, who has helped to coordinate the hamper program at VIU for the past five years.

VIU ‘adopted’ 16 families in need this year from John Barsby, Nanaimo District Secondary, Georgia Avenue and Fairview community schools.

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

The VIU Christmas hamper program was originally part of the Good Neighbours initiative, started several years ago by a group of VIU administrators and faculty to develop positive relationships with the Harewood community.

The catalyst came from VIU Education graduate Karen Bernard, a student teacher at Fairview community school, who recognized that children were coming to school hungry and a number of families were falling through the cracks of Christmas charity.

Bernard wrote a letter to VIU President Ralph Nilson suggesting the University community take action to help its neighbours. The Good Neighbours initiative and Christmas hamper project was launched soon after to help children and families.

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