A group of West Island high school students have come up with an interesting way to give to charity on the eve of the holidays.
Secondary One students at West Island College have created what they're calling a reverse advent calendar.
It's a calendar that doesn't give you anything, like a chocolate — instead, students get the name of a charity to which they can donate things such as canned goods, clothes and money.
English teacher Fiona Myers told CJAD 800's Andrew Carter that her students came up with the names of community groups that they wanted to support, and then they researched the kinds of things they needed the most.
"So far, we've had a pasta collection day, we collected soup cans, toys, and children's books in English and French, we've collected children's clothing — a lot of things that kids would have at home," she told CJAD 800's Andrew Carter.
On Wednesday, they'll send blankets and sleeping bags to a group that helps the homeless. The day before, they donated school supplies to the Sun Youth Organization.
"Hopefully what they're learning is that even small donations matter," she says, "and that when we come together, we can do a lot. We can have an impact and help a lot of people."
First few days of Reverse Advent Calendar created by students. #wicgivesback @WICMtl pic.twitter.com/VskKuKX2Qx
— Fiona Myers (@fmagder) December 2, 2016