COCHRANE— Looking to light up Cochrane at the darkest time of the year, the Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area has partnered with Elizabeth Barret Elementary School to bring Signs of Joy to the community.
The Signs of Joy project emerged as a way for Grades 3 and 4 students to volunteer and engage with the Cochrane community, said Helping Hands executive director Chairra Nicolle.
As part of the project Grades 3 and 4 students at Elizabeth Barret have created 16 posters to place around Cochrane in A-Frame signs for the next month.
The students created and laminated the signs and now volunteers will place the creations around town “to add some joy and some happiness to people’s day."
“There’s signs saying ‘You matter,’ ‘kindness is always fashionable,’ ‘choose happy,’— It’s ways to get the kids involved in making a difference in the community,” Nicolle said.
Students worked in pairs in the classroom and came up with their own ideas after talking about how they can make a difference in the community and spread positivity.
The finished signs are colourful with many images and positive words, Nicolle said, and include sayings in French and English. The signs are united by the philosophy of celebrating happiness, kindness and positivity.
“They had so much fun making those and knowing they were going to end up in the community and people were going to see them,” Nicolle exclaimed. “It very much gave them a spark of happiness and excitement.”
The students are incredibly resilient, she said, adding they are happy and excited to be at school with their friends. The ability to share their jubilation with the community through the Signs of Joy project added to their excitement.
Nicolle said everybody could learn a little bit of what the children are saying and actively work to spread happiness and kindness in Cochrane. She added, she hopes that those who see the signs take away the notion that everybody matters during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re all going through this together and we’ll only get through it together with happiness, kindness and understanding,” Nicolle said.
She added the children are learning from the community and their parents, and it is inspiring to see that their happiness and joy is being reflected onto the students.
“They are seeing that we are being kind that we are being supportive,” Nicolle said. “It’s being reflected from what they’re seeing on a daily basis— We have individuals in our community that are really showing that kindness because these kids are reflecting it.”
She encouraged Cochranites to pay it forward and ensure people check-in and help their neighbours and friends to ensure they are doing well.
The Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area is currently looking for volunteers and encourage anyone interested to visit the website. Volunteer opportunities include virtual or phone check-ins with isolated individuals, the snow helpers' program, picking up groceries for those in isolation.
If you need aid or want to help assist Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area email [email protected] or call 587-580-9448.
