Grade 5/6 students at St. Michael Catholic School in Bright’s Grove recently participated in the Habitat for Humanity ‘Meaning of Home’ writing contest.  Each year, Habitat for Humanity invites submissions from Grade 4, 5 and 6 students, to express what home means to them.  The organization says the contest is a way to teach young people about the importance of safe and affordable housing.

Angela Kirkland and Trevor Taylor of Habitat for Humanity Sarnia-Lambton recently visited the classroom, to thank the students for their essays.  This year, 119 entries were submitted by students in schools across Lambton County, which has resulted in $1,190 dollars in funds for Habitat for Humanity Sarnia-Lambton.

“Congratulations to our students for their thoughtful and well-written essays,” says Max Zangolli, Grade 5/6 teacher at St. Michael Catholic School, Bright’s Grove.  “Through their exceptional writing, they have articulated the true meaning of home.”

Here are some of the students’ thoughts about home, expressed in their writing:

…home isn’t a place, it’s the memories and the people that are always with you…

I love my home.  Not because of the decorations or rooms, but because of what’s inside.  In my home you can find: love, hope and family.  My family loves each other and that’s what matters.

What makes a house a HOME is the love shown by friends and family.  It gives you a feeling of warmth.  It’s the only place that’s ever felt like HOME.

A house is called a house because it’s empty, a home is called a home because it’s filled with love.  I know other people deserve love too.