It’s another example how the true meaning of Christmas is finding ways of spreading joy to those who need it most this year.

Colleen Zacharias’ children, along with the students of six other home schooling families, are creating Christmas cards for the residents at Winkler’s Salem Home. The seven families are from Morden, Winkler, Friedensruh and near Miami. The Kindergarten to Grade 8 students are making the cards in a variety of ways including hand drawn designs, water colours and computer creations.

“Basically, and unfortunately, COVID is kind of the reason for all of this,” explains Zacharias. “I guess, basically, as families trying to look for ways to keep the season bright and cheery, in spite of us having to change what we usually do. This group of home school families… we’ve all had relatives that have lived in Salem Home, and we know their lives have changed a lot in the last little while, with not being able to see their grand kids and their families, so we through it would be neat to compile a bunch of Christmas cards, and have them delivered to the residents at Salem Home.”

And a bunch it is with the students working together to make 145 cards in time for delivery Monday.

Despite the young age of some of the students involved, Zacharias says the project has connected and resonated with all of them.

“My children, personally, have been a little on the discouraged side, because they haven’t been able to see their friends, that kind of thing, and this is something they would like to sit down and do with their friends.” notes Zacharias. “Even virtually, them getting to see their friends doing these Christmas card projects, in their own homes, has been super exciting for them, but they also realize the necessity of this for the elderly, and they’re just so excited about being a blessing to them.”

Zacharias notes COVID-19 may have changed how we gather, but it can't steal our joy and excitement this year.

“I think our goal is to make sure the elderly remember they are valuable to our community, and even though their life has changed so much in the last little while, they’re really not forgotten. They are still loved, and very much respected as part of our communities.”