ASSINIBOIA - The grand opening of the brand-new kindness garden at the Asakan Complex took place June 26, thanks to efforts from students, led by teacher, Laurie Hawkins. The event was attended by 26 students, five community members, Assiniboia Mayor Sharon Schauenberg, along with Mrs. Hawkins and the principal.
Eighty rocks began this kindness rock garden and the intention is to grow the gesture with community members and more students adding to the display.
Hawkins said, “The comments from the community on Facebook are proof that we are all working together for a better world and that spreading kindness is so important. I’ve had community members also tell me personally how great it is and such a positive way to get the kids involved and that they have already walked by to check it out. They absolutely love it.”
Students were excited to see their work in place and the wide smiles were evidence that they were proud to be part of providing such an impactful space in their community.
“Highlight of day? Students seeing the project come to completion with an official ceremony, with the mayor participating,” adds Hawkins.
The project has already garnered attention from the summer library program and the summer day camp, who have inquired about adding their creations to grow the space.
The Assiniboia teacher affirms that with budget money leftover the group will be paying it forward and buying some supplies as well as sharing their supplies. Alison Lewis is also going to ask the artists the attend the artist retreat each summer to create their additions for this beautiful new space in town.
Mayor Sharon Schauenberg was thrilled to be part of this grand opening and added a message on behalf of the town before officially opening the new space, “Our community is thrilled at the new addition of the Kindness Rock Garden at our Town Office, as luck would have it the students chose our space to display this wonderful works of art and to that we give our heartfelt thanks.”
“It is a beautiful project filled with kindness where one can add, or remove a rock is a wonderful expression of gratitude our youth have in our community making us ‘better together’. Spreading a little more kindness in Assiniboia is priceless. Just one more reason we truly are ‘The Heart of the Golden South’.”
