EDAS (Everyone Deserves a Smile) qathet is back for its 7th year!

Today was the kick-off to the EDAS (Everyone Deserves a Smile) initiative’s 7th season! More than 400 students and staff across the district are coming together this year to spread kindness and hope in our community. Since 2019, approximately 2000 care packages have been delivered throughout qathet through EDAS, and this year’s goal is to add 500 more!

Participating school communities include Edgehill Elementary, Henderson Elementary, James Thomson Elementary, Kelly Creek Community School, Westview Elementary, the Brooks Interact Club, and Brooks Culinary students. Each care package will include a pair of wool socks, a toque, gloves or mittens, a scarf or neck warmer, a toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, and sugar cookies, baked by the culinary students and decorated by students from École Côte-du-Soleil, retired qathet teachers, and members of the qathet support group at Powell River United Church. A handmade card with a personal message of hope will also be included in every bag.

What’s really special about these bags is that they’re all hand-painted by students and one-of-a-kind! The care and creativity that go into every design bring as much love and warmth as the goodies inside… and some people have been known to even keep these bags forever!

On December 15th, all the bags will be packaged at Henderson Elementary by qSD students and volunteers from Rotary Club, Friends of Rotary, PR Professional Firefighters, First Credit Union, Tla’amin Nation, qathet Regional District, qathet School Board Trustees, City of Powell River, and Powell River United Church. Afterward, they will be delivered to 10 local support agencies across the qathet region by the Tla’amin Fire Department, Powell River Professional Firefighters, and Friends of Rotary.

We are so proud to support this incredible initiative and to work alongside so many community partners to make sure those who are struggling feel seen, supported, and cared for. EDAS is a beautiful reminder of the power of small acts of kindness and the big difference we can make when we all come together as a community, for our community. 

Click here to watch a video of a few highlights from the kick-off assembly!

If you'd like make a donation, the drop box locations are Knitter's Nest and Taste of Heaven at Townsite Market, the Powell River Public Library, or any of the schools! 

Please download the official EDAS qathet 2025 poster or see below for more information: