Kindness is back on the menu at Mother Teresa Early Childhood Learning Centre, where students are gearing up for the school’s fifth annual donut campaign in partnership with Sobeys Lloydminster.
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This year’s fundraiser, aptly titled Kindness takes flight: fifth donut mission, once again puts creativity and compassion in the hands of young learners. Students design kindness-themed donuts — choosing everything from toppings to glaze — before the ideas are brought to life by Michelle Rustieka and her team at Sobeys and sold throughout the community.
Proceeds from donut sales will be shared among local organizations selected by families of Mother Teresa students.
“Students choose the toppings, the glaze and what their donut means to their classroom,” said Paige Kindopp, a Grade 1 teacher at the school and the creator of the campaign.
Kindopp launched the fundraiser five years ago as a way to teach social responsibility at an early age. Since then, the campaign has raised $29,379.07 for organizations that support people and animals across Lloydminster.
“It’s all about a social justice piece, first of all, and teaching kids it doesn’t matter what age you are — you can always contribute to our community,” she said.
As part of the fifth year, the school is hosting a local organization fair from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, in the Mother Teresa gymnasium. Thirteen community groups are expected to take part, showcasing their work and connecting directly with families.
Participating organizations include Border Paws Animal Shelter, Lloydminster KidSport, Lloydminster Region Health Foundation, Midwest Family Connections, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lloydminster, Border City Connects, Catholic Social Services, Lloydminster Public Library, the Olive Tree, Pets Purpose Animal Shelter, the SPARK Foundation and the Lloydminster Rescue Squad.
“The organizations will come in and set up a booth to display what their organization does for people or animals in our community,” said Kindopp. “Families come into the gym, tour the organizations and ask questions. The families then choose their top three they want to see the money from the sales of donuts go toward.”
The campaign has also expanded this year, with a merchandise partnership with Kolab Print Collective. The locally owned business is offering campaign-branded T-shirts, hoodies and crew neck sweaters through online orders. T-shirts sell for $25, while hoodies and crew necks are priced at $40.
“It was really fun designing the logo and I think this is their best logo and our best campaign name we’ve had,” Kindopp said. “The kids are so excited.”
On a grander scale, the success of the campaign has reached far beyond the Border City, even earning Kindopp a Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in October 2023.
The donut campaign runs from Feb. 1 to 15, featuring three rounds of sales and new donut designs from different classrooms throughout the two-week period.
Community support has continued to grow, with local businesses taking part in friendly challenges and placing bulk orders for their workplaces. Kindopp also credited support from Cenovus through its Cenovus Cares program.
With nearly $30,000 raised since the fundraiser began, the goal this year is ambitious but achievable, she said.
“We want to bump that number up from $29,000 to $40,000,” Kindopp said. “We know it’s a big goal, but I think with our Lloydminster community we can definitely achieve it.”
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