Nearly seven years after she was murdered, a Sarnia schoolteacher is still making a difference in the lives of local children.
On Tuesday morning in Wallaceburg, the Noelle's Gift Foundation presented the St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) and Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) with a cheque for $64,000 for the 2019-2020 school year.
The foundation was created in memory of Noelle Paquette, a 27-year-old who was abducted from a Sarnia street and murdered on New Year's Day 2013. Since then, Noelle's family has honoured her legacy by providing daily necessities to disadvantaged students and families in the Lambton-Kent region.
"I think the beauty of this whole donation is the love and care that the Paquette family have exemplified for all of our students, especially our most needy students, over the years in Noelle's memory," said Deb Crawford, SCCDSB director of education.
Noelle Paquette (Submitted Photo)
Before her death, Noelle worked as a kindergarten teacher at St. Matthew's Catholic school in Sarnia. Her mother, Lynn Paquette, is the chairperson for Noelle's Gift. She said Noelle would see first hand the challenges that marginalized students face on a daily basis and often went the extra mile to help them out.
"She had so much compassion for these children," said Lynn. "When they came in, some of them came with no food for lunch. They didn't have any indoor shoes or anything. She and I would go out and buy these items for these children and it just caught on. When you're not in that situation, you're unaware, which is really sad for me. But Noelle brought that light to us and the need is there. And I think that's why, I know that's why, we started the initiative."
Noelle's Gift was established in January 2013 shortly after she passed away. Money is raised through a variety of fundraising activities and community events during the year. Last October, the charity donated $76,000 to the two school boards and $25,000 in 2017. With 8,500 students in the SCCDSB and 22,000 in the LKDSB, education officials said it's impossible to estimate how many children have been affected by Noelle's Gift over the years.
"That legacy from Noelle allows students to focus on their teaching and their learning that's going on in the classroom instead of worrying about a pair of shoes or a coat or eyeglasses," said John Howitt, director of education for the LKDSB. "So it's directly linkable to students."
With tears welling in her eyes, Lynn said although her daughter may not be here physically, her spirit and humanity will live on forever.
"I'm sure she's dancing in heaven for sure," said Lynn. "She embraced the children. She would be ecstatic to see these children with smiles on their faces and shoes and boots and warm coats and hats. Like I said, she's dancing and she's with us and surrounding these children every day."
-With files from Miranda Chant