More spirit needed

Organizers wondering why more aren’t attending this year’s Spirit Days events

Entertainment, food, skating, a chance to win a new bike — it’s pretty much everything a kid could ask for during the March break.

Yet, only about a dozen children have shown up for this year’s Spirit Days at St. Theresa’s Hall and organizers don’t understand why.

“We used to get a hundred in the past,” said Dennis Wall on Tuesday. “We’ve only had a dozen so far this morning.”

Those who came at 8 a.m. were treated to a free breakfast and then skating at Centre 200. After skating, they went back to the hall for a lunch and then came back in the evening for supper and entertainment.

The program has been running for about 16 years but had to take a break last year due to the teachers’ work-to-rule campaign. Wall wants parents to know the program is back this year and that another session will be held on Thursday, beginning at 8 a.m. with another breakfast, an activity, lunch and then a family supper with karaoke to follow.

“There’s no charge for any of this but the children are asked to do a good deed and to bring a non-perishable item for the food bank,” he said.

Those children who attend the breakfast will receive a ballot for one of the two bikes and, on Thursday, the winners will be announced at supper.

Spirit Days is done in co-ordination with St. Theresa’s Parish Council, the CWL, the Men’s Club and several schools including Brookland Elementary, Cusack Elementary and Centre scolaire Etoile de l’Acadie.

ELIZABETH PATTERSON/CAPE BRETON POST Chase Parks, 7, appears to have a good grip on the situation at Centre 200 on Tuesday during a skating party for St. Theresa’s Spirit Days held over the March Break while the person behind Parks appears to be slightly less steady on their feet.

ELIZABETH PATTERSON/CAPE BRETON POST (LEFT) Laurier Wells, left, and Dennis Wall are shown in front of the two bikes that will be awarded to a boy and a girl taking part in this year’s Spirit Days at St. Theresa’s Hall.

ELIZABETH PATTERSON/CAPE BRETON POST Blayre Wells, 10, of Sydney skates around Centre 200 on Tuesday during a skating party for St. Theresa’s Spirit Days held over the March Break.

ELIZABETH PATTERSON/CAPE BRETON POST Grayson Parks, 5, of Sydney River appeared to be having a good time learning how to skate at Centre 200 on Tuesday morning during a skating party for St. Theresa’s Spirit Days.