One student’s stitching abilities has helped bring a class together, and show support for a national organization that helps first responders.
Natalie Lutfallah began the initiative. The Police Foundations student at St. Clair College’s Thames Campus in Chatham started small.
“Last year, I had gotten an embroidery machine. I started a little business as a side job,” the Windsor native said. “I wanted to make myself a sweater. I told some of the others (classmates) and a lot of people seemed interested.”
As a result, more than half the class of about 50 people purchased sweatshirts with “Police Foundations” embroidered across the chest.
Funds raised from the sales, $730, went to Badge of Life Canada, an organization that helps first responders across the county and their families who are dealing with operational stress injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“It’s very rewarding to be able to give something back to something that could be of use for us in the future,” Lutfallah said. “It seemed like an obvious charity for us.”
She said her professors loved the idea and it was well received by students.
“It was a way to bring us all closer together. It’s been nice to design the sweaters as a class and pick the charity,” she said.
One of the program’s professors said he was impressed by the students in this effort.
“I think the motivation and ambition of that class is incredible. The fact they came together to pick a law enforcement/first responder charity speaks volumes about them as a team,” he said. “It’s so important to reach them pre-career about mental health and wellness for this job, and Badge of Life is completely about that work and awareness. I couldn’t be more proud of them as a group of future law enforcement.”
Lutfallah is done making the sweatshirts at the moment, but that could change.
“We might do one more wave in the second semester,” she said.
As for life after the one-year program ends, Lutfallah said she’ll be applying to police agencies in Ontario seeking employment.
However, before she reaches that point, Lutfallah said she’s hoping to start a running group in Chatham, and perhaps get them involved in charity runs. Team sweaters are a possibility there, she said.
“Policing is all about community involvement,” she said. “I’m just trying to get involved in the community in a good way.”
