Gemma’s Closet keeping Light of Christ students warm this winter

Students in need at Light of Christ Catholic School won’t be without school supplies or a warm coat this winter.

Thanks to community donations, Gemma’s Closet is packed full of lunch boxes, binders, pencil cases, and everything a student needs to fill their backpack, in addition to clothing such as shoes, coats, hats, and mitts.

“We are so grateful for all of the community members who have stepped up to help our program,” said school Principal Carmen Semeniuk. “From TC Energy graciously donating $5,000 to help us purchase staple items for our students, to the local knitting club putting their needles to work and donating handmade toques. We are so thankful for everyone’s contributions to Gemma’s Closet.”

In October, Lac La Biche emergency services agencies donated ten backpacks filled with school supplies.

The school gathers donations and fundraises to purchase items that aren’t gifted.

Gemma’s Closet was inspired by the Patron Saint of Helping Others, Maria Gemma Umberta Galgani. It was created as a way helping students who don’t have the proper school supplies or outdoor gear.

“Without the kindness of others, this program wouldn’t be the success that it is,” Semeniuk said. “Some of our students rely on Gemma’s Closet to have warm boots or coat in the winter. It’s grown to be such an important program for those students at Light of Christ.”