Anne Brule wants to recognize the frontline workers who may have been overlooked during the pandemic.
With Brule as a mentor in the project, FIRST Team 1305 has launched the Seeds of Gratitude as part of the Near North student robotics initiative's outreach program.
The students teamed up with local businesses and organizations to come up with gift packages, as well as a list of deserving frontline workers.
Brule, a professional clown who operates AB Creations in North Bay, says more than 100 gifts have been created and delivered to date. She plans to create a link to her website to allow more people to donate money to provide more frontline workers with gift packages.
The list of recipients includes custodians, auto-glass repair workers, truck stop inspectors, and 911 operators.
“I know a number of them who are still working, keeping things going, but they're sort of in the background.”
The Seeds of Gratitude provides such gifts as foot salt-soaks, mints and candies, free trials for meditation, and water bottles, all in a gift package with a balloon attached. Brule says all items are sanitized before they are given.
“We wanted things that were more useful and also something that's a little joyful and pretty. That's where the balloons come in.”
Participating businesses include Jeff and Tanis’ No Frills, DriversEd4U, MacKenzie Promotions, A Passion for Life, Remissio Massage Therapy and Wellness Centre, and On Call Tech/Business Support North Bay.
Mackenzie Casalino is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the North Bay Nugget. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
