Darrell August, teacher Matt Kuzminksi and Tobias Gillman with the car packages they handed out. (submitted/Matt Kuzminksi)

By Spencer Sterritt

giving spirit

VIDEO: Students with lived experience deliver care packages to Nanaimo’s homeless

Dec 17, 2020 | 10:54 AM

NANAIMO — Two Nanaimo students who’ve spent time living rough on Nanaimo’s streets have given back this holiday season.

Darrell August, 17, and Tobias Gillman, 14, both students in the Learning Alternatives program, handed out 25 care packages to those currently experiencing homelessness.

August said they thought about what they’d have liked to receive when they were homeless when creating the packages, which included food, supplies, hygiene products and clothing.

“It felt good because everyone was very happy. It felt very good after that,” August said.

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The 25 packages were handed out in roughly one hour on Friday, Dec. 11.

“It would have made a big impact, I would have been so happy,” August said if someone had done the same for him when he was living rough.

Gillman said it warmed his heart to see the smiles on people’s faces when receiving the packages.

“They were pretty happy and excited. Lots of people saying ‘God bless you’ and stuff.”

Though all the packages were handed out, both August and Gillman said they hope to do more.

A GoFundMe page and website is now in the works to fund further care packages and encourage other students to help out.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt