École Notre-Dame-du-Sault Students Create Blankets for Local Women

Students from École Notre-Dame-du-Sault have combined creativity with compassion by crafting blankets for women and children in need. A group of ten students from Grades 7 and 8 at the French-language Catholic school in North Street dedicated their time to making three tie blankets: one adult-sized and two designed for children. This initiative was guided by teachers Nadine Campbell and Marie-Pier Lecours and aimed at supporting clients of Centre Victoria, a non-profit organization located on Elgin Street that provides essential support and counselling services to Francophone women facing violence and sexual assault.

The project, which took place during the students’ recess, allowed them to engage in a meaningful activity while learning a valuable new skill. Grade 7 student Anna-Gayle Laroulette expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I really enjoyed it. It was a very good experience and I think it’s good to help people in need.” The students completed the blankets in just half a week, demonstrating both determination and creativity. Laroulette also expressed a desire to create a blanket for her family in the future, possibly as a Christmas gift.

Teacher Nadine Campbell highlighted the personal connection to the project. “The irony is that Marie-Pier learned blanket-making from me when she was a student at École Notre-Dame-du-Sault in Grade 6. When she started teaching here, she asked me if I would like to do this with her and some of the students,” Campbell noted. Both teachers fondly reminisced about their own experiences with the craft, with Lecours recalling, “It was very special to be able to do it for a good cause, so I thought it would be a good idea to do it with these kids.”

The fleece used for the blankets was purchased by the school, and the project is part of an annual tradition. Campbell explained, “We usually do this at Christmas. It feels great, and I’ve done it for so many years with so many of my students. It’s a good feeling.”

The students not only took pride in their work but also recognized its significance. “They know that it’s for a good cause, and we’ve talked about how they will be able to make them as gifts in the future. It’s a nice skill to know,” Lecours remarked. The initiative reflects a commitment to community service while fostering creativity and teamwork among students.

This year’s blanket-making project continues to build on a legacy of compassion at École Notre-Dame-du-Sault, where students learn the importance of giving back through hands-on experiences.