Principal at Riverside Public School Leanne Tretiak accepts winter clothing donations from Jared Devers of the Prince Albert Kinsmen Club. (submitted photo/Leanne Tretiak)

By Dawson Thompson

Warm wear for Students

Kinsmen Club donating warm clothing to P.A. students in-need

Dec 7, 2020 | 5:00 PM

The Prince Albert Kinsmen Club is helping keep kids warm across the city this holiday season, with its fourth annual ‘Toques and Mitts for Kids gift-giving project.’

The annual clothing drive collected items such as toques, mitts, and neck warmers for 550 students at five schools in Prince Albert. The schools involved in the charitable drive this year are, Riverside Community Public School, Westview Public School, St. Michael Community School, St. John Community School, and St. Catherine School.

Project chairperson for the Prince Albert Kinsmen club, Jared Devers said the program has grown substantially since its start-up four years ago.

“We will talk to some of the school divisions and figure out which schools would be most beneficial to receive the donation,” Devers said. “We typically do this for at-risk schools for kids from Pre-K to Grade 3.

“The first year we chose one school. The second year we decided we enjoyed watching the kids’ faces light up when they open up the gifts, so much we decided to go to two schools. Last year we were able to move up to four schools, and this year we have five.”

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The project this year was funded by the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon.

Riverside Community Public School’s principal, Leanne Tretiak said this donation will help students play outside longer and can help lead to better learning inside the classroom.

“When we look at education and the development of the whole child, physical activity, being outside, and connecting with nature allows for that to happen,” Tretiak said. “It’s good for health, and good for the development of our kids. Warm winter clothing is so important, especially in Saskatchewan, as we know how cold it can get.

“The need is still as great as ever in schools like Riverside. We are very grateful for the donation of the clothing to keep our students warm and safe.”

Acting principal at Westview Public School, Kim Jones said the donation will help around 80 students at their school too.

“Our school has lots of families that are really going to appreciate this donation, it is very much welcomed,” Jones said.

Students at Westview Public School receive their gift provided by the Prince Albert Kinsmen Foundation. (submitted photo/Kim Jones)

The donations are being handed out to students at Riverside, and Westview today. Students at the Roman Catholic School Division schools listed will receive their donated items on Thursday.

Jay’s Transportation Group helped the Kinsmen Club by providing boxes for the gifts. The Kinsmen Club was also able to get its wrapping supplies from Canadian Tire.

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Dawson.thompson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: dawsonthompson8