Operation Christmas Child in Drumheller delivered once again, and a big part of it was from Greentree School. On Wednesday morning, November 23, Mr. Hegberg’s Grade 6 Leadership Class assembled and loaded up 108 shoeboxes into a TST Overland (Formerly Pedersen Transport) truck to be taken to the Calgary Samaritan’s Purse depot, where they will be eventually be distributed to those most in need. The boxes were filled with donations from the students of Greentree School. The school was also able to fill boxes with extra supplies. Sheri Cooper, logistics coordinator for Operation Christmas Child in Drumheller says the boxes are destined for Central America, the Ukraine and four West African countries. In total 222 boxes were collected community-wide.  (l-r) Alicia Stanhope, Brooke Hanik, Amanda Hanik, Chloe Anderson and Temwani Banda, with Brody Ewing, front, loading on the last of the boxes.

The Rotary Club of Drumheller is helping make harmony on the playground at local schools and has installed “Buddy Benches” so no child is left out.
    Last week, four Buddy Benches; one at DVSS, one at Greentree School and two at St. Anthony’s were installed. The benches have grown in popularity over a few short years and are designed to eliminate loneliness and foster friendship on the playground.
    The concept is simple, when a child is feeling left out or does not have someone to play with; it could be they are new to the school, or simply have no one to play with on that particular day, they can simply take a seat on the bench. This is a signal for other children to take the lead and include the child.
    The Buddy Bench has been shown to work and they are a big hit on playgrounds. They give children a safe, non-judgmental place to take a moment. Rather than slinking away unnoticed when they are sad, others are able to recognize when a friend needs companionship.
    Rotary President John Shannon said the idea came to the Rotary through member Sylvia Adams and the schools are grateful for the new additions.