SPARC Kindness Tree spreads further than Capstone
November 29, 2023
Since 2021, over 1500 wooden ornaments painted with messages of kindness and hope by local youth have decorated multiple trees in Capstone during the holiday season.
Area residents are then encouraged to visit Canada 150 Square in Capstone to choose an ornament to take home with them, and gift another to someone in their community. The tradition will continue this year, but with a twist!
Students from St. Joseph High School, Gateway Christian, St. Teresa of Avila, Central Middle School, Westpark Middle School, Escuela Vista Grande, École Camille J. Lerouge and Eastview Middle School have been hard at work over the past few weeks hand painting 500 ornaments- half of which will decorate trees in Capstone with the other half delivered to various retirement and/or assisted living facilities in Red Deer.
“The annual partnership between Capstone, SPARC and local youth continues this year with the intention of spreading kindness further into our community. We are delighted to share these beautiful handmade ornaments by going directly to those individuals that may not be able to visit Canada 150 Square given various mobility challenges in winter conditions” says Rania Page, SPARC Co-Chair.
“Every year our local youth look forward to creating these ornaments and get as much joy of sharing them as they do by creating them. They are really looking forward to delivering the ornaments and connecting with seniors in our community” says Denise Fredeen, SPARC Co-Chair.
The Kindness Tree is just one of many elements in Capstone that favours human connection, and creates a balance between living, working, culture and recreation. Other upcoming holiday events and activations include two large interactive art and light installations on site from November 24 to December 3, the Winter Nights Festival on December 1-3 featuring live music, entertainment, activities and late-night shopping, on-site festive décor, photo opportunities, light displays and more. To learn more visit liveincapstone.ca/events.
SPARC Red Deer is a local non-profit coalition created to strengthen positive assets and resilience in communities. Paint the Town Positive – the youth-driven chapter of SPARC Red Deer worked with Capstone to create the Kindness Tree with the goal to give back and spread kindness in the community. To learn more about SPARC, visit sparcreddeer.ca.