Montreal elementary students gather donations for Ukraine: ‘I can’t even possibly put myself in their shoes’

Elementary school students in Montreal are collecting donations in a humanitarian effort to provide support for Ukrainian refugees coming to Canada.

Wednesday, students from Nesbitt Elementary School walked to St. Sophie Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Rosemont to donate baby and children supplies, personal hygiene products, and non-perishable food items.

“It’s heartbreaking to see so many children being affected, so many families being broken up,” said Vince Lacroce, the spiritual and community animator at Nesbitt Elementary. “And this was inspired by students who came to me wanting to do something for people in need.”

Lacroce, who coordinated the fundraiser, says the support from students has been incredible and the number of donations has been too much to walk over.

“Children helping children is always something that we kind of preach here… and it’s just a great feeling to give back where we’re praying for peace.”

“Really feel that all this donation is going to help them,” added Victoria Garcia, a Grade 4 student at Nesbitt Elementary. “I just don’t, I can’t even possibly put myself in their shoes right now, and I really hope that this does help them.”

“I think that it’s important because there are a lot of people that are struggling right now, especially little kids, and I think it’s the best to help everybody, especially people that are in need,” said Alessia Romero, a Grade 6 student.

Lara Girvan, a teacher at Nesbitt Elementary School, has family members that have been displaced and others fighting to defend Ukraine. She says her parents were married at St. Sophie Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.

“So it touches home and I’m very grateful that these students have really big hearts and are very eager to participate in this very meaningful and wonderful activity,” she said.