Thanks to the efforts of a local family, a bunch of Chelmsford residents are having a brighter Christmas.
Julie Gauthier, the Grade 7-8 teacher at École Alliance St-Joseph in Chelmsford, said that four years ago, she read the children’s book “L'arbre de joie” by Québec author Alain Bergeron.
She decided to start her own “Arbre de joie” at the school.
Through the program, families are invited to purchase gifts for needy individuals.
The initiative supports families within the Chelmsford community, those registered with the Friendship House food bank, and families within the Alliance St-Joseph school community.
It also provides gifts for the seniors at the Villa St-Gabriel in Chelmsford.
“This year, we were able to provide gifts to approximately 60 children and 20 seniors as well as purchase food baskets for some selected families,” said Gauthier, in an email to Sudbury.com.
This year, the Arbre de joie project received extraordinary support from the Labelle family, who fundraised all year for the initiative, bringing in about $2,500.
Julie Labelle said her family had participated in the Arbre de joie project in 2021, choosing a handful of children, and shopping for their Christmas wish list.
She said her daughter, Riley, then in senior kindergarten, asked what would happen to the kids on the Arbre de joie list who didn’t get chosen by a family.
“Knowing how big of a heart she has, I suggested that we try and make sure all of the kids were chosen the following Christmas, to which she answered yes, without hesitation,” said Julie.
The family set a goal of $1,000, but ended up with $2,500. Throughout the year, they sold birdfeeders, bee houses, cheesecakes and lemonade, and held a bottle drive.
While the fundraising was fun in itself — Riley said she loved running the lemonade stand with classmate Georgia — the Labelles were able to use the funds they raised to go shopping for many of those on the Arbre de joie list.
They even had $500 left over to put toward food baskets.
Julie Labelle said she’s very proud of six-year-old Riley for her caring attitude.
She recalls Riley opening up an Easter card this past spring which contained a $5 bill from a relative. “And she was like, oh, OK, ‘Arbre de joie,’” said Julie. “She’s always turning her wheels and thinking of what we can do next …
“We're just trying to raise her to think of others and what we could do at this young age.”
The mom said she and Riley are already making plans for next year’s Arbre de joie fundraisers.
Teacher Julie Gauthier said she’s never before “experienced the sort of generosity” shown by the Labelle family.
“They came together with the help of family and friends and community members to support this project,” said Gauthier.
“The Labelle family has really taught their children the true meaning of Christmas - to think of others and to spread love and joy. As a teacher, I can say that this is the greatest lesson to teach your children.”
Heidi Ulrichsen is Sudbury.com’s associate content editor. She also covers education and the arts scene.
