Keeping the Magic of Valentine's Day Alive in Sitka
Pictured above: Sitka’s School and Preschool teacher representatives received the Strawberry Dipping supplies to create the event in their schools or to send a kit to children studying at home.
Inspiration for the event came from a Strawberry Dipping table hosted by AC Lakeside during a Family Night presented by the store and Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School around Valentine’s Day last year. The Strawberry Dipping was very successful as kids learned some fun facts and health benefits of strawberries while enjoying a sweet treat.
AC Lakeside team wanted to keep the magic going this year and organized a Strawberry Dipping Event to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The event expanded to three more schools: in addition to the Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School students, children at Baranof Elementary School, 3 to 5 Preschool, and Betty Eliason Child Care Center enjoyed a Strawberry Dipping event at their school or from home.
On February 10 and 11, school and preschool teacher representatives picked up the supplies donated by AC Lakeside to create the Strawberry Dipping event in their classroom following social distancing guidelines – or prepared a kit and sent it to those children who are studying from home due to the pandemic.
The event was a great success once again; 768 kids participated and enjoyed this year’s event. Several parents posted photos of their child’s dipped strawberries on social media and called the schools to say thank you.
Pictures above: Children from 3 to 5 Preschool sent handmade cards and a poster to thank the AC Lakeside team for the Strawberry Dipping event.
AC Lakeside Store Manager Vince Winter and his team were happy to put a smile on children’s faces for Valentine’s Day.
“This Valentine's Day we wanted to continue the magic of our Strawberry Dipping event and share our appreciation to the children in our community by making a special event for them. 2020 brought a lot of challenges and changes; we have learned to adapt and some things need to remain magical,” he said.
