More than two dozen long-term residents at Peace Arch Hospital will have their days brightened with a little glitz, a little glitter and a whole lot of goodwill, thanks to students at South Meridian Elementary.
"It'll warm their hearts to know that someone else is thinking of them," Marie Rougeau, the hospital's manager of volunteer services, told Grade 4 students Anya Prokopich and Chloe Kang.
"These are amazing pieces of art."
Prokopich and Kang – members of the school's Spirit Club – presented Rougeau with more than two dozen cards that were made during the school's Maker's Fair last month.
The fair, in its second year, is "a celebration of creativity" spearheaded by the Spirit Club and aimed at giving students a chance to showcase who they are through something they've made.
Open to all grades, creations this year ranged from soap and a Lego pinball machine to doll clothes made from elastic bracelets and cupcakes.
Students had the option of selling their creations, knowing that any proceeds would be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The concept was well-received, and resulted in $327.75 for the charity.
Lynn Oucharek, parent sponsor of the Spirit Club, said the card-making table was the result of a challenge to the student organizers to add "one more piece that got everybody involved in using their skills." The leadership club aims to foster creative and critical thinking skills, Oucharek said – and the students did not disappoint.
Offered a buffet of accoutrements to work with – from glitter glue to tinsel – those who paused to create a card did so with gusto.
"There's no such thing as too much glitter," Prokopich noted with a smile.
Rougeau revelled in the care put into each card, beaming at the use of colours, the careful placement of stickers and sentiments that included 'Get better', 'Get well soon' and 'Hope you get better, think happy.'
Principal Joanie Donovan said the students' efforts are something to be proud of.
Oucharek said often all students need to succeed is the gentle suggestion that they can.
"All it takes is a little open-the-door, and they run," she said.
"They just need to know that it's possible."