Noelle’s Gift to Children has donated a total of $188,500 to the St. Clair Catholic and Lambton Kent district school boards to support students and families in need to date in 2023. The total in 2022 was $158,000.
“For 10 years now, Noelle’s Giftto Children, with guidance and care from the Paquette family, has provided tremendous support for students and families who need help,” says Scott Johnson, Director of Education for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board. “What a tremendous gift to our communities; and an awesome legacy for Noelle, who was a much-loved daughter, sister, friend and teacher.”
“The positive impact of Noelle’s Gift to Children is felt throughout our schools every single day,” says John Howitt, Director of Education for the Lambton Kent District School Board. “They are unique in that they are able to meet a wide array of emergent and unanticipated needs, quickly and confidentially.”
Donations from Noelle’s Gift to Children are shared among the St. Clair Catholic and Lambton Kent district school boards to purchase eyeglasses, clothing, food, medicine and medical equipment. The funds are dispersed independently by the two boards. Teachers are able to access up to $200 for children in need. Requests in excess of $200 are made by the principal and are processed quickly, to get help to families as soon as possible.
The Noelle’s Gift to Children charitable fund was established in memory of Noelle Paquette, a former Kindergarten teacher with St. Clair Catholic, who passed away in January 2013.