In a packed ballroom at the Italian Canadian Club here, hundreds of students from developmental disability programs throughout the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) were treated to a pasta lunch and celebrated an early Christmas together.
Even before the Dec. 11 lunch was served, there was an air of excitement, coming in large part from students who were seeing friends and teachers they only see at this event.
Lauren Strub, who attends Centre Wellington District High School (CWDHS), said she enjoys reconnecting with people she hasn’t seen since last year’s event, but her favourite part is the Christmas lunch.
Dale Woods agrees. Also a student at CWDHS, he’s been attending the Christmas lunch for four years.
He said he sees a lot of familiar people and he predicted the meal would include salad and pasta (he was right).
The day’s lunch was part of a 30-year-old tradition, started by Guelph Kiwanis member Fred Hoffman.
Guelph Kiwanis president Bill Green said the lunch is “Fred’s inspirational present to these kids for Christmas, because they don’t really have a lot.”
There were approximately 300 students at the lunch from developmental disability programs at schools from across the board.
The students are in the classrooms and they’re learning life skills, said Jackie Speers, special education consultant for the UGDSB.
“Everyday skills that they can generalize into the community, into their life, so there’s communication, there’s leadership skills, there’s basic literacy, basic math skills and programming is geared towards the specific child,” explained Speers.
Sitting with caregivers, teachers and Guelph police officers, the kids were served their meals while listening to Christmas carols.
There was even a visit from Santa Claus to add some special magic the event.
