Helping With Furniture would like to send their deepest gratitude to the Principal, teachers, staff, students and parents of St Francis of Assisi for taking us on as their Lenten project. The grade six class did an amazing job at organizing and presenting a skit in front of all their peers to raise awareness about the plight of refugee families in their country of origin as well as what challenges they face when being welcomed into an unknown culture. They also got together and gathered many of the household items needed to welcome these families in the welcoming spirit that Canada represents as a Nation. Their generosity showed no boundaries. Well done St Francis and thank you from all the many families you have helped out.

Thomas D'Arcy McGee catholic School is located in the East End of Ottawa. It is a small school, less then 180 students, yet the children, teachers, staff and parents have pulled off an enormous feat. For their Advent project we had the honor to be chosen as their service community project. With the tireless effort and support of Lynn Ostrom, her grade 5/6 class was able to help us educate their peers on the plight of newly arrived refugees. The skit was unbelievably well done, informative yet entertaining; it helped spark a great enthusiasm. Over the four week period preceding Christmas the school worked as a drop off location where students gathered household articles consisting of much needed linens, dishes, lamps, small kitchen appliances, etc. They also ran a Christmas store where children could buy presents for their family and friends. Furthermore, the school organized two concerts; the children were able to demonstrate their beautiful singing and the results of their hard work. At the concert, Helping With Furniture was handed Welcome to Canada cards made by the students. Those cards will be given to each family to welcome them to our country. We were pleasantly shocked to receive $915.87; this amazing amount was the result of their fundraising efforts. We are extremely grateful and would like to extend big thanks on behalf of all of our future families to everyone who participated and thank you also for showing us that no matter how small the group you can make a big difference. The World gets better one good deed at a time.