A poster near Lakeview Elementary School in Lethbridge asks people to take the cards created by Grade 2 students

By Lara Fominoff

Messages of love from Lakeview students bring joy to struggling couple

Feb 6, 2020 | 3:03 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – As students in Alex Funk’s Grade 2 elementary school class worked on creating their plasticine hearts Thursday afternoon, they had no idea that just across the school field from them, two people suffering with enormous personal struggles saw their dozens of messages of love and hope.

Cards and poster taped to the back of a baseball diamond near Lakeview Elementary School

The cards were posted across the backstop of a ball diamond for anyone who might need it. A sign beside a large poster read “Take a card or 2 to make your day brighter.” Each pair of cards was encased by a Ziploc bag and taped to the chain link fence beside the poster.

“We’ve been working really hard on understanding how to do things without asking for anything in return and being kind to others. So… we decided to sit down and create all these cards – especially with Valentine’s Day coming and just share the love a little bit in the world,” explained Funk.

Alex Funk’s Grade 2 Class

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Each student created at least two, and up to five cards each with messages including “you’re a great person,” “love you,” “you’re the best,” and “hard worker.”

Funk was inspired by The Children of St. Martha’s teacher Laurie McIntosh; whose kindergarten students also create and share positive messages around this time every year.

“So I thought, what a great way to be able to spread kindness.”

Nat Irvine and Jayce Warrior spotted the bright display, as they were walking back to her apartment. Nat said she had been going through a very difficult time in her life, and seeing the handmade cards made her day better.

Nat Irvine (forefront), and Jayce Warrior (Background)

“I’ve been through a lot, and what these kids said to us, touched my heart,” Irvine said through her tears. “There’s one note here that says, ‘love in a heart is the key to happiness.’ Seeing this made my day.”

“How do we show these kids we appreciate them?” asked Warrior.

“I’ve been on my own since I was 16 years old, and I’m 21 now,” Irvine continued. “My parents aren’t really there for me, and I’m having a really hard time because of my depression,” said Nat.

One of the pictures she chose showed a rainbow with the words “you’re great,” written on it. It was her favourite.

Nat’s cards

“Look at this! Because I’m gay, I picked this one. I’ve always had issues with my family because of that. There’s a reason why this happened.”

Funk said her students were hoping someone would benefit and was happy to learn many of the cards had already been taken.

“Knowing that – you know – it doesn’t matter who it is, you can be kind to everyone and there’s going to be somebody out there who needs it. It just feels good to do a good thing.”