École Notre-Dame-du-Sault Students Create Blankets for Those in Need

A group of students from École Notre-Dame-du-Sault have come together to create comfort items for vulnerable community members. Ten students from Grades 7 and 8 at this JK-12 French-language Catholic school, located on North Street, crafted three tie blankets—one adult-sized and two for children. Their efforts were guided by teachers Nadine Campbell and Marie-Pier Lecours, with the finished blankets designated for clients at Centre Victoria.

Centre Victoria, situated on Elgin Street, is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Francophone women who experience violence and sexual assault. The initiative not only provided practical help but also allowed students to develop a new skill.

“I really enjoyed it,” said Anna-Gayle Laroulette, a Grade 7 student involved in the project. “It was a very good experience and I think it’s good to help people in need.” Laroulette noted that the group spent approximately half a week working on the blankets and expressed her intention to create one for her family in the future, potentially as a Christmas gift.

The project has personal significance for both Campbell and Lecours. Campbell reflected on the origins of the blanket-making activity, stating, “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 ‘would you like to do this with me and some of the students?’ so we decided to do it.”

Lecours added, “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. Nadine taught me how and I still make them. They’re my go-to gift now. So, it’s great for these girls to learn how to make them too.”

The blankets were made from fleece purchased by École Notre-Dame-du-Sault, and the project has become an annual tradition, typically organized during the Christmas season. “It feels great, and I’ve done it for so many years with so many of my students. It’s a good feeling,” Campbell remarked.

Students dedicated their recess time to the project, demonstrating commitment and enthusiasm. “They’re diligent. They made the blankets on their own free time,” Campbell said. “It was nice to see their interest in it. They took pride in making them, and they know that it’s for a good cause. We’ve also discussed how they’ll be able to make them as gifts in the future. It’s a nice skill to know,” Lecours noted.

By engaging in this meaningful activity, École Notre-Dame-du-Sault students not only supported those in need but also fostered a sense of community and generosity that will resonate within them for years to come.