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Students from Grauer Elementary EarlyAct Club worked together to put together holiday fun boxes.

Photo courtesy Richmond Sunset Rotary Club

Richmond students spread holiday cheer

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 10:28 PST, Mon December 23, 2024

Last Updated: 10:33 PST, Mon December 23, 2024

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With the holiday season underway, students in Ms. Bawa's Division 4 class at R.M. Grauer Elementary School are bringing joy to families in need by creating Family Fun Boxes. Partnering with the Salvation Army Richmond, the students assembled 16 boxes filled with items to help families create meaningful holiday memories.

This initiative comes at a time when new data highlights the challenges faced by many families in British Columbia. A recent report from First Call B.C. shows that child poverty remains a significant issue, with 13.3 per cent of children in the province living in poverty in 2020. This is slightly below the national average of 13.5 per cent, but certain groups, including racialized families, single-parent households, and newcomers, face a disproportionately higher risk of living in poverty.

Richmond’s own statistics, based on the 2021 Census, reveal a poverty rate of 14.4 per cent, notably higher than the 11.2 per cent regional average for Greater Vancouver. These figures reflect the ongoing struggles of many families, underscoring the importance of community-driven efforts like Ms. Bawa's class project.

The Family Fun Boxes are designed to help families enjoy the holiday season together. Each box contains a board game, hot beverages like coffee or hot chocolate, a snack mix, a word search book, popcorn, chocolates, and a deck of cards. To decide what to include, the students brainstormed activities they enjoy with their own families, aiming to foster connection and joy for others.

"This project is about more than giving gifts," said Ms. Bawa. "It’s about teaching our students the value of helping others and showing empathy for those who face different challenges."

The students were deeply motivated by what they learned about poverty in their community. They discussed ways to make a difference, such as donating to local food banks, reusing resources, and cultivating gratitude for what they have. "We wanted to share the joy we feel spending time with our families during the holidays," one student shared.

The Richmond Sunset Rotary Club, which sponsors R.M. Grauer’s EarlyAct program, funded the initiative. The program encourages young students to engage in service projects that promote goodwill and understanding, both locally and globally.

The report from First Call B.C. highlights that increasing the provincial minimum wage and providing more targeted support for vulnerable families could help reduce child poverty across the province. While systemic changes are essential, grassroots efforts like the Family Fun Boxes demonstrate the power of community action.

By combining education about social issues with meaningful action, Ms. Bawa's class exemplifies how even small efforts can make a big difference. As one student put it, "Helping others is the best part of the holidays."