1. The Spirit of Giving Health & Human Services Class

2. Outcome Students will identify from the determinants of health if they as a Health & Human Services Class can assist their school or community. Students will analyze the impact of their experience in relation to their volunteer experience. Students will determine using their determinants of health if they made a difference.

3. The Giving Tree In our community, the Lions and Lionettes Club organize the Giving Tree Campaign during the Holiday Season. The students determined that they would like to help their community by sponsoring a family at Christmas. The purpose was to strategize with the students different methods of fund-

4. Fundraising Efforts raising to gather enough money to provide gifts for a single parent family with one child, as well as purchase their Christmas Dinner. The students created a large basket of odds and ends and sold tickets. We raised $123.75. All of us were so thrilled with our fundraising efforts.

5. Excitement of Our Accomplishments All of us were very proud of our efforts and we could not wait to purchase the gifts. We found out we had to buy gifts for a little girl aged 5 and her mom. The little girl had a wish-list that consisted of a Barbie and My Little Pony figure. We were also able to buy for the little girl also received pajamas, slippers, leggings, a sweatshirt, socks, mittens, and pair of winter boots.

6. Giving is Contagious Our principal, Ms. Manning, personally donated money for the family’s Christmas Dinner. Ms. Manning was very pleased with our dedication to this family. Other staff members also helped out with the Giving Tree Campaign by sponsoring a family of their own.

7. Sense of Pride All of us had a great sense of pride knowing that we helped a family that was less fortunate. All of the students felt it was a new holiday tradition they would start with their family. There was a great sense of accomplishment because they were dedicated to seeing the project through start to finish.

8. Reflections Many students reflected in their journals that they were pleased with their efforts and they felt empowered to know they helped a family during the holiday season. Others commented that they had no idea that the Lions Club helped so many people in the community. The Lions Club helped 129 families in the Municipality of Shelburne last Christmas.

9. Enlightenment I am so proud of my students. My students really worked hard and they realized that there are rewards and great satisfaction when they help their community. Some of my students are now volunteering with the Lions Club and will be volunteering again this busy holiday season.

10. Many Things Were Learned My students developed a sense of connectedness because the students realized how fortunate they were. On page 14, Reynolds refers to the Figure 1, “Empowerment practice.” My students experienced this intellectual rigour because they worked together collaboratively for a common goal. Upon their reflections they realized what the Lions Club does for their community, how many families were assisted, and they were part of something positive. My Health & Human Services class is very popular because of this endeavor. Many students sign up because they know I have my class do this every year. We are currently planning for this holiday season, we are trying desperately to raise money, but with a small enrollment this semester, it has been a challenge. We will manage and I can not wait for my students to have the feeling of empowerment when they realized they have made a difference in someone’s life.

11. Thank you! Shelburne Area Lions Club Shelburne and Area Lions Club, chartered in April 1963, is part of zone 9 that includes eight Lions Clubs in Shelburne, Queens and Lunenburg Counties on Nova Scotia's beautiful south shore.