With a tradition of over 30 years, the St. George’s Hamper Drive is an important event for the school’s community. The Hamper Drive provides an opportunity to teach boys, through real experiences, that service is about making meaningful connections. This year, to facilitate this objective, students have ‘adopted’ families through their Senior School advisor groups and Junior School homerooms.

Every December, the St. George’s community rallies together to bring a happy holiday season to hundreds of families. A vibrant workforce–students, alumni, parents, siblings, and faculty–works together to deliver goods and donations in time for the holidays. The school is now the second largest hamper provider in the Lower Mainland.  At the helm of the entire operation, and taking over from retired veteran Mr. Ed Mortimer, is newly appointed leader, Santhe Leblanc.

Adding in a toy workshop this year, all advisor groups headed to the Headmaster’s office at various times during the week of December 9-13 to pick out toys for their respective families. These personally selected toys helped the Saints boys develop a deeper connection with the children in their adopted families.

In addition to providing canned goods in advisor groups, some teachers are taking to the streets to get the general public involved.  Mr. Rick Roberts is just one example of a proactive teacher in the St. George’s Community. This year, he and his colleague, Ms. Sandra Gin, organized their advisor groups and canvased in front of an IGA Marketplace on Broadway.  Beyond collecting cans and donations, Roberts asserted, “I believe it is really necessary for the boys to experience failure. There are so many people who walk right past our stand, ignore our students, and mumble something rude. I believe this is a real character building experience for resilience.”

The Hamper Drive provides hampers full of groceries, non-perishables, household items and gifts to families in need throughout the Lower Mainland.  Roberts reflected, “It is really shocking to see a mother of four children who does not have the necessary means to care for her children.  It should be everyone’s duty to attempt to give back to the community.”

Creating personalized hampers has allowed St. George’s students to become heavily invested in the Hamper Drive, ensuring the tradition is carried on in an even more meaningful way.

Happy holidays to all, and to all a happy Hamper Drive!