Most recently: CBC News coverage of The Firsties talking about the Hearts for Hope project can be seen here.
Here’s an exciting update! The Firsties have exceeded their goal. Our latest addition lesson revealed a stunning total of $1,038.50! Thank you lovely supporters! We are so grateful. Every penny of that will be going to a project to help the homeless in Surrey.
In 2013 The Firsties created the Hearts for Hope project to raise money for the Surrey’s most vulnerable, the homeless. They raised $970 and donated it to The Surrey Homelessness Society, and in October were awarded the Heroes to the Homeless Award by The City of Surrey. This year’s Firsties chose to continue this important work, and began the process of creating clay hearts to sell at our Fall Market.
We are a fortunate school, with a full visual arts studio, that houses two kilns. The Firsties immersed themselves completely in the process of shaping and texturizing the clay ready for the first firing. We lost only one at this stage. Next they glazed, understanding that the pale colours they were painting with, would react with extreme heat and change radically.
We visited the kiln the next morning, lifted the lid, and watched as our very brown hearts transformed into sparkly rich red and purple beauties, as they cooled down. There were a few white ones glistening, too. Yep, there were squeals of joy, from me too! The Firsties were learning about the pressures that artisans face when working with unpredictable materials and deadlines looming. They felt successful.
During the past week, the peeps were busy finishing off two types of special papers they created a few weeks ago, one with cling wrap, and another with tissue paper and glue, fusing them together, and cutting them into large hearts to add to the package.
They revised the story and helped to put the booklets together. All twenty-five of us squeezed into the photocopy room to run 105 booklets.
They personalized each one with a thank you message, then signed a beautiful white and gold sparkled heart. We were blessed with wonderful parents who helped assemble the packages, and another who built us a booth at his film set workshop this week. Last night we became little merchants, selling close to $800 towards our $1000 goal.
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.! These lovely peeps warmed many hearts with their compassion and joy. They know what power they have to make a difference and they aren’t wasting any time doing it! L.O.V.E. You can read more about The Firsties’ adventures here.
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