A smile is worth a thousand words. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

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A chorus of cheers and an air of curiosity, filled a small room at Hope’s Home on Wednesday morning as three highly anticipated guests arrived in a plastic container.

The child care centre is one of several in the city, tasked for the next weeks with the responsibility of looking after ducklings.

The initiative, now in its 23rd year, is organized by staff at Memorial Gardens. City Councillor Don Cody is also a pre-need specialist at the cemetary and for over a decade has been helping to make the deliveries.

“The gleam in the children’s eyes to see something live is just fantastic,” he said.

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While there are some important lessons happening at the child care centre, the initiative is also designed to show local families and children that Memorial Gardens is not a dark graveyard.

“It’s true there’s sorrow there but at the same time, we can show there’s happiness because there’s life there and that’s why the ducks are such a great part of it,” Cody said.

On June 20, the matured white ducks will be brought to the cemetary’s pond for a special launch celebration.

Local area day cares participating this year are St. Michael’s, Prince Albert Child Care, King George, St. John’s, TLC at Birch Hills, Hope’s Home and the Family Resource Center at the Gateway Mall. Janel Boese, Assistant Manager at Hope’s Home, noted they’ve been hosting the young ducks for many years.

“It’s a great way for the kids to learn empathy,” she said. “They get to take care of a different being and the kids love them and get to cuddle them and watch them grow.”

The event next month is open to the public and there will food and refreshments.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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