The winter wonderland committee raised money for the event from generous donations and by selling lollipops on campus.
photo by sahba khalili

The spirit of the holidays arrives early this season as students organize a fun-filled afternoon for kids in the Child Development Centre.
Eleven students from the tourism and hospitality management program are coordinating the event which will take place on Nov. 28 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Seventh Semester.
“The theme is Winter Wonderland. It’s all about games, like puzzles and painting and memory games. Kids can choose what games they want to play,” said Sissy Olivera, one of the team’s marketing coordinators.
Olivera said her group has been conducting fundraisers at the school and generated over $800 for the event. Students sold lollipops throughout the campus for a dollar to provide crafts, food and decorations.
“If we still have money left over, we are going to donate it to the daycare centre,” Olivera said.
Tourism and hospitality management instructor Dan Reeves said the event is part of students’ course curriculum. He said students are encouraged to plan an event of their choice, raise the funds and execute it in a professional manner.
Students made the invitations for the party. Altogether, 78 kids have been invited.
Marcie Miranda, supervisor of the Child Care Centre, said “because of the by-law about child seats we are not able to take field trips, so it’s nice for the kids to take part in a field trip that does not require travel.”
Miranda said it’s good for the kids to experience a variety of other activities that’s not usually offered in their regular environment. “It’s a nice way to celebrate some of the holidays, like Christmas, that some of them may not celebrate,” she said.
Second-year tourism and hospitality management student Ellana Benoliel, the event’s food and beverage manager, said healthy snacks will be provided for the kids to enjoy, including fruit platters, cheese, crackers and juices boxes.
“We have pre-made sugar cookies that the kids can decorate with little candies and holiday coloured icing, and they have a hole in them so they can tie a ribbon through and make them Christmas ornaments if they like,” Benoliel said.
She added all of the crafts that her group has put together will be given to the daycare for future use.
“The most fun has been thinking of all the different decorations and crafts for this event. I think the best part is it has really put us all in the holiday spirit,” she said.