NASHUA – The children in the preschool classes at Small World Academy have learned about giving in the holiday spirit.

They wanted to help those in need this holiday season, so they took on a project. The parents and their children purchased a large collection of essential personal-care items, as well as warm, cozy socks, to donate to those in our community who are less fortunate.

The guests residing at the Maple Arms Emergency Shelter at Harbor Homes were the recipients of this gift.

Beth Brackett, a longtime volunteer and donator to the Maple Arms Shelter, along with her grandchildren, were also involved in the project. The residents of Brackett’s employer, the Life Care Center of Auburn, a skilled-nursing facility in Auburn, Mass., donated and decorated a large number of gift bags, which were to be filled with the goodies collected by Small World Academy.

Darci Cutter, a preschool teacher at Small World, invited Chris Gartland, the program manager of the Maple Arms Emergency Shelter, to come to the school for a visit on the Tuesday before Christmas. He was greeted by a group of excited preschoolers who were anxious to talk with him and to present him with their gifts.

Gartland spoke to the group to help them to understand what the shelter is all about, and how sometimes things happen to people that result in their needing a little help from others. Each child took turns proudly walking up to Gartland and handing him a beautiful gift bag to take back to the shelter so that the guests there could enjoy some holiday cheer.

Even very young children are able to understand the spirit of giving and of being thankful for the blessings they have.

Brackett and her grandchildren have been doing such kindnesses for the guests of Maple Arms Emergency Shelter for many years, including bringing them a hot meal once a month, as well as holding fundraisers and donating funds and goods to the shelter guests, all in the spirit of giving – all year long.