Despite the unforgiving heat of summer, students from Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy have been keeping the giving spirit of Christmas in mind.

This week, the school partnered with the Salvation Army to provide the homeless with handmade care packages, each containing a sandwich, toothpaste, a toothbrush, lotion and a water bottle.

The project was part of the school’s annual summer programme, which this year had the theme “Christmas in July”.

Julie Lynn, the school’s social worker, said that they wanted to give back to the community through the work of the Salvation Army, as they “do so much work around Christmas time”.

Margaret Phillips deputy principal and summer programme co-ordinator, credited teacher Shannon DeShields with the idea of care packages, an out-of-pocket expense for the parents of the students and staff members. The students and staff presented their donations in hand-decorated boxes on Wednesday.

Lionel Cann, who delivers soup and sandwiches to the homeless every night for the Salvation Army, said that the care packages were well received, in particular the practical addition of toiletries. He added: “They were quite happy and they loved the sandwiches. They were most grateful.”

This month, the school has also been collecting donations from parents and staff for their Hope Chest, a food hamper filled with non-perishable food items; JLT Specialty Bermuda also made a donation to the hamper.

At an open-house event yesterday, the school presented the Hope Chest to nurse Beverley Howell, a volunteer with the Salvation Army who will ensure it is distributed among the needy.

“I was elated. It’s going to be a blessing to somebody,” Ms Howell said.

“What a wonderful idea to have Christmas in the summer! Jesus is the reason for the season. We need to take His example and help somebody.

“I believe that to live is to give and to give is to live, and the presentation that they gave me this morning embraces that. It takes an entire village. We have to go back to taking care of each other. I’m very thankful to the entire staff at Dame Marjorie, as well as the parents and students.”

Roderika Freeman, who is serving as a para-educator for the summer, said the festive celebrations had been a success throughout the month.

“Whenever we put on Christmas songs, the children had a blast,” she said.

“They would smile or do something they normally wouldn’t do. It shows that they’re having fun and that means so much. Words can’t express how much fun I’ve had here.”

Terri Lynn Allen, a para-educator at CedarBridge Academy who has worked at the programme for the first time, said: “I’m enjoying it. Interacting with the different children and learning about their needs gives me an appreciation for the special needs population in Bermuda.

“I’ve noticed that even with their challenges, they have these enormous, bubbly personalities.”

The Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy summer programme serves to “reinforce goals and objectives that students have”, Ms Phillips said, in order to prevent them regressing and forgetting what they have learnt.