ENSS youth are looking to lead the way when it comes to giving back during the holidays.
“Student government runs a lot of different events at our school, and this year, we’re especially trying to bring those events out into the community,” says East Northumberland Secondary School (ENSS) Grade 10 student Emma Mounsteven, who also serves as minister of state for ENSS’ student government. “We’re collecting socks, hats, (and) mittens, and we’re in the works of doing a food drive.”
And this Friday, Nov. 21, at Brighton’s Santa Claus Parade, Mounsteven is among local youth hoping the community will help them make a difference for people struggling with homelessness this winter.
Of course, ENSS student government will have a float in the parade – but that’s not all.
Mounsteven adds this will also build on the school’s “Socktober” efforts last month.
“We had many student government members think that it would be a great idea to get out in the community and collect socks, mittens, and hats,” explains Mounsteven, who tells us more about how youth started down this path.
“We just want to be doing a lot more community work and having that community outreach I think is really important cause our school is in the heart of Brighton,” adds the 15-year-old.
“Just together, we can keep our community warm, and we thank you in advance for your support.”
Anyone who can donate winter hats, gloves, mittens and/or socks is encouraged to bring them along to the parade festivities this Friday and as students pass by, they’ll collect the items and later get the winter gear to people in need this winter.
Mounsteven encourages residents to also keep an eye on student government’s ENSS Instagram page.
The Brighton Santa Claus Parade starts at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Alice and Dundas. The parade then makes its way to Main Street, then onto Maplewood to Chapel, left on Prince Edward and down Elizabeth before ending at the Dundas and Terry Fox Drive intersection.
“Light Up Brighton” festivities get underway at Memorial Park at 6 p.m., where the Happy Harmony Choir will perform, and Smithfield Public School will also be dishing up hot chocolate and treats collecting donations. And of course, there will be the official lighting up of the park and trees for the season.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
