News & Events

Ottawa Mission benefits from Elmwood students’ generosity

Ottawa, December 2008

Soap and shampoo.

Imagine waking up one day not having access to these two simple things. Most of us take it for granted.

When Grade 8 Elmwood School students Arielle and Grace found out the Ottawa Mission often runs out of soap for the homeless, they decided to do something about it. That something resulted in the largest donation of toiletries ever made to the Mission.

Grace explains how their project came about:

"Arielle's mother works at the Ottawa Mission. One day she brought in extra soaps, as they often run out. A man went up to the desk, asking for soap, but the attendant said she didn't have any. But Arielle's mom told the man that she had some with her. She handed him a soap, and a tear ran down his face."

"When Arielle told me about this, we decided we should get our school to help," said Grace.

And help they did. The two students wrote a formal proposal to Head of School, Cheryl Boughton and Middle School Vice-Principal, Chris Toivonen, outlining their plan. Arielle and Grace made a presentation during the weekly school assembly, asking for toiletries from their peers. The two girls also arranged for a guest speaker from the Mission to address the school.

"We put out a huge box and it filled up within a week. The Mission told us it was the largest donation they'd ever had, " said Grace.

Simple toiletries are not always easy to come by for residents of the Ottawa Mission. While the supplies donated by Elmwood will not last forever, the goodwill fostered between Mission staff, residents and the school will last indefinitely.

Soap and shampoo. Something so simple—for most of us.