On Tuesday, December 6th, 25 Middle School girls from East Lake Academy made Christmas cards for the residents at NHC Health Care Facility.

We had been focusing on topics of self discovery-who am I? What gifts do I possess? How do I share my spark and voice in my own community? As an educator, you always wonder if the students are going to get on board with whatever project you have come with.  Will they connect the dots with the project and what they've been learning?

The answer at East Lake...overwhelmingly, yes!

It was truly beautiful. Red and green construction paper, snowflake stickers, markers, glue sticks and scissors all manipulated by their inspired hands into some of the most kind-hearted, genuine cards I think I have ever seen. These girls didn't know who, specifically, they were creating these cards for; they just knew that these residents needed some cheering.

I think the most touching thing for me was going back to the school two days later to tell them thank you for making the cards. They eagerly asked if the residents liked them. They put such heart, creativity and thought into their gifts. I am humbled by this group.

Thanks girls, thanks for reminding me that it is not always the gift, but the heart of genuine joy and kindness that goes into the gift that matters the most!