INNISFAIL – Mr. V at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School likes to share food.
He also likes to show people he cares about everyone.
And he especially likes to do both at Thanksgiving.
Mr. V is the nickname Logan Vanderham has at the school because it’s just easier for some of the kids to address him.
Vanderham is a first year Grade 8 teacher at St. Marguerite. He came to Innisfail, which is his hometown, after teaching nine years at École Mountview School in Red Deer.
And he brought with him an idea for the time honoured autumn holiday.
On Oct. 6, St. Marguerite celebrated the Turkey Trot; an initiative led by Mr. V that ensured 12 families had a joyous and unforgettable Thanksgiving.
“This is one way that Mr. V likes to share food with people,” said Vanderham. “If I can find a way to give people turkeys before Thanksgiving, let's do it.”
Vanderham’s Turkey Trot idea had the whole school involved. More than 300 students participated, from pre-K all the way up to Grade 9, with several of the more than 30 staff members helping out.
The morning started off with an outdoor Turkey Trot run. But first the kids were asked to make a craft; namely a turkey hat.
“They wear the turkey hat and we go outside and run,” said Vanderham. “The elementary kids will go around the track and in our field, and then the middle school kids will go around the campus.”
And then there was the Turkey Trot draw, which was made from the families of school children in all grades.
When it was completed by Vanderham and assisting staff members, 12 special St. Marguerite families were selected from every school grade to have a special Thanksgiving dinner with either turkey or ham.
To help make this happen, Vanderham and staff supporters reached out to the community.
Paul’s No Frills Innisfail donated five turkeys, and members from the school’s parent council came up with the rest. In total the school had eight turkeys and four hams to give to families.
“I have always been passionate about getting kids active so that’s why we built in going for a loop, whether a big or small loop, and then we come together and try to support some families. It's so simple,” he said.
After the turkey trot and draw there was a school-wide Thanksgiving meal.
“Mr. Labrecque wanted to do a meal for everybody. We took my idea and his idea and brought them together,” said Vanderham.
Stefan Labrecque is the principal at St. Marguerite. He noted there has been past Thanksgiving celebrations at the school but seized on Vanderham’s idea as it called for children to be active outside and have fun.
“And then I love his little piece of stewardship, where he's trying to serve the community,” said Labrecque, adding the idea aligned with the school’s four pillars: I am a Blessing, I am Empathetic, I am an Ambassador and I am Reliable.
“Thanksgiving is about honouring the blessings we have, and us being ambassadors, and really showing the kids that we love them and we care about them,” said Labrecque. “They're the reason that we're here in the fabric of our community.
“If they can see us witness that or witness in us honoring them, I think that's a beautiful thing.”
