Kemptville students collect hundreds of gifts for children at CHEO
![Toys A sample of the collection of gifts gathered by students at Académie Catholique Notre-Dame. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/12/8/toys-1-6680193-1702078262227.png)
Elementary school students in Kemptville are embracing the spirit of giving this holiday season by collecting hundreds of toys for kids at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).
The idea started as a holiday project for Morgane Remy's Grade 7 and 8 humanities class.
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
"We thought it would be a good project to bring Christmas to CHEO since the kids cannot really necessarily go out and we can't really go there to do activities with them," explained Remy, a teacher at Académie Catholique Notre-Dame.
The initial plan was for each student to bring in one present to be donated, an ambition that Remy evidently set too low.
"After a week and a half, we were at almost 300, 400 gifts already. Now we're over 600, so we're really happy about it," she said.
Grade 7 student Chloe Whelan says she enlisted the help of her community to get the job done.
"We went around my neighborhood and we handed out flyers that we made," said the 12-year-old, who managed to collect around 50 gifts.
"I just thought maybe other people need help."
Their classroom is currently filled with bags of Hot Wheels, stuffed animals, LEGOs, fidget toys and art supplies.
"It was pretty crazy," said Grade 8 student Danieve Fifield. "The goal was 200 because our school is not that big."
Bringing cheer to the children at CHEO is providing a sense of holiday fulfillment for the young Kemptville students.
"The thought of not being able to go home during the holidays, I guess just bothered us," said eighth grader Josh Francois.
"We just wanted to do something for them," added classmate Allison Fletcher.
"Make some bags with different things in them like cards, just to make them happy and make them feel special."
Having already achieved their goal, the Grade 7 and 8 class is now aiming to collect 1000 presents before the gifts are delivered to CHEO on Dec. 18.
"We're just really surprised about all the help we've got from everyone and we're really grateful," said Remy.
"We've got a really good results and we're really happy with it."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6971614.1721493887!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Hazmat response to north London, Ont. apartment complex
Circumstances around a deceased individual in an apartment raise concerns for first responders.
Workplace habit of 'coffee badging' prompts reported new policy at Amazon
The term 'coffee badging' has gained some new significance this week with multiple outlets reporting Amazon is allegedly taking measures to counter the workplace trend it refers to.
Secret Service chief noted a 'zero fail mission.' After Trump rally, she's facing calls to resign
When Kimberly Cheatle led the Secret Service's operations to safeguard the American president and other dignitaries, she said she would talk to agents in training about the 'awesome responsibility' of their job.
NEW THIS MORNING How to protect yourself from West Nile virus
It's been a hot, humid and wet summer so far in Ottawa, making it the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and elevating the risk of West Nile virus.
Meet some of the world's cleanest pigs, raised to grow kidneys and hearts for humans
The first gene-edited pig organs ever transplanted into people came from animals born on this special research farm in the Blue Ridge mountains..
Russia says it scrambled fighter jets to intercept U.S. bomber planes over Barents Sea
Russia said Sunday it scrambled fighter jets to intercept two U.S. military long-range bomber aircraft that approached the Russian border over the Barents Sea in the Arctic.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
Norris takes pole ahead of McLaren teammate Piastri at Hungarian GP. Verstappen starting 3rd
McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked out the Hungarian Grand Prix front row ahead of Formula 1 leader Max Verstappen after a stellar qualifying session for the British team on Saturday.
Israel shoots down a missile fired from Yemen hours after an Israeli strike on Houthi rebels
The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen early Sunday, hours after Israeli warplanes struck several Houthi targets in the Arabian peninsula country.