Ten Christmas hampers were delivered yesterday to Legacy Park Elementary School and names were drawn to see who would be taking them home.

This is thanks to The Giving Tree, a 15-year tradition at the Weyburn Comprehensive School.

While traditionally the initiative was more like an 'adopt-a-family', where each student would go shopping for the items for the hampers, it has had to be adapted for 'COVID times'. 

Instead of choosing balls off a Christmas tree located in the Commons and then shopping for the items themselves, students this year were able to make cash donations to their teachers.

"Once COVID hit, we decided we didn't want so many kids shopping and coming in and out of class to get these balls, so instead we have had teachers collect any donations for a week and then the SRC has gone and purchased all the items to make up these fantastic Giving Tree baskets," shared Guidance Counsellor and SRC Advisor, Joanne Jensen.

"We did shop always locally, and I think because we left it to just a few people to do the shopping, we were able to really capitalize on sales at various stores in Weyburn," she said.

"For example, we went to one store and they had all their toys 30 per cent off, so we were able to really go there and luck out on getting tons of toys there. And kind of shopping around just a little bit because it was just a couple people doing the shopping rather than so many individuals." 

Other years, noted Jensen, they would rotate between the five elementary schools in Weyburn for distributing the hampers. This year, they chose Legacy Park Elementary School.

"Because we ended up with so many donations, and people really get into the spirit of giving, so not only did we end up collecting items that we had asked for, but so many students and staff brought additional items." 

"Some brought a jar of peanut butter, jam, or a box of cereal, or different things that they thought would make up a fun basket over the holidays," she shared. "So we ended up with even more items than we had asked for, which was very cool." 

Jensen said this type of thing is right in line with WCS's 'kindness culture'. 

"We want students to be kind, obviously, all year round, but we highlight that once a month by having them wear their 'Be Kind' shirts and that, but it just seems during the holiday season and this Giving Tree has just really become a tradition where everyone loves to participate, and they really get into the spirit of giving and being kind to others."