Students and Staff at St Margaret's elementary school wanted to give back to the community during the lead-up to Christmas but weren't quite sure how

That is until teacher Terrill Skoropad saw a post from Riverside Mission on social media and brought it to the school's attention.

Here's principal Sarah Phipps.

"We thought it was a really good idea where students and families still felt like they were giving. It's a pair of socks, and you fill it up with whatever you can. We gave some suggestions like some small shampoos, conditioners, body washes, toothbrushes or toothpaste. Many students also took it upon themselves to make a little Christmas card or put in some candies or chocolate."

Students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 all took park, with over 150 supply-filled-socks being donated to the Mission.

"This is a really important way for our kids to learn that Christmas isn't all about getting and all about presents for themselves, but it's a season of thinking about others and giving back to someone else. We hope that that was the lesson that our students learned and that they can continue with for the rest of their lives, even up to adulthood."

Phipps says each year around this time, they like to give back to the community in some way, and that although COVID made the process a bit more difficult, they knew it was something they wanted to do.