In a heartwarming display of community spirit and compassion, students from St. Pius X Catholic elementary school in Tecumseh have made a significant contribution to local residents facing hardship. The school's entire student body, ranging from kindergarten to Grade 8, participated in creating 2,200 handmade "feel good" cards, which were donated to Windsor Goodfellows for distribution to clients receiving food assistance.
A School-Wide Initiative for Mental Wellness
The project was organized as part of a broader mental health initiative at the school, aimed at promoting mental fitness and awareness of community needs. Teacher Erin Rivard, along with colleagues Mike Lamoureux and Rina Plancke, helped coordinate the effort, which saw student leaders teaching their peers about mental wellness across all classrooms.
"What these students are doing is truly fabulous," Rivard explained. "They go into all the classrooms and teach students from kindergarten on up about mental fitness. They're the leaders for the whole school, emphasizing that mental fitness is important for keeping your mind active and engaged."
Student Perspectives on the Project
The four Grade 7 student leaders—Dawson Smith, 13; Kent Shinkowski, 12; Olivia Hebert, 12; and Giselle Butler, 13—played a pivotal role in the initiative. They attended a Saturday morning food box packing session at Windsor Goodfellows on March 7, 2026, where the cards were placed into each of the 2,200 food boxes prepared by volunteers.
"We're packing food boxes and giving the cards from our school that our students made," Dawson Smith said. "It's to lift them up during hard times."
Giselle Butler noted the scale of the project, stating, "It took a while, because every single student in our school did about three cards. It makes me very happy, because it's making others happy."
Olivia Hebert shared her motivation, saying, "I liked doing it because it brought a better message to the world for everyone who doesn't have this food, and they have something to look forward to." Kent Shinkowski added, "It's good and gives them, like, a push to start their day or start their week even."
Community Impact and Recognition
Steve Harrison, president of Windsor Goodfellows, expressed his appreciation for the unique donation. "They're out in the plant right now, packing 2,200 boxes, and the students have come forward with 2,200 mental health cards that we're putting in the boxes for our clients to give them a lift," Harrison said. "I think it's just a beautiful program. This is the first time we've had this kind of privilege from young people coming in. The program is sensational."
Harrison presented the student group with a Goodfellows certificate to thank them for their efforts. The food boxes, which contain items like pasta, peanut butter, jam, and cereal, are designed to last about six weeks, with clients permitted to pick up a box once a month.
Educational and Outreach Benefits
Rivard highlighted the dual purpose of the project, noting that it combines mental health education with community outreach. "This is outreach in the community," she said. "They have talked about, and they've learned about, people in need. This is just to bring a smile and good feelings to people who need support and help."
Most students created a minimum of three cards each, with the student leaders producing many more. The cards featured colourful hand-drawn designs and uplifting messages, all aimed at spreading positivity and support.
The initiative not only provided tangible support to Windsor Goodfellows clients but also fostered a sense of empathy and social responsibility among the students. By engaging in this hands-on project, the children learned valuable lessons about compassion, mental wellness, and the importance of helping others in their community.
