Mennonite Collegiate Institute resides in a small town, but is making a big impact with the new residents.

Students and staff at MCI in Gretna, Manitoba were recognized for their work with the recent refugees that have crossed the Canadian border.

In a letter from Ian Wishart, the Minister of Education and Training, MCI has praised for displaying "a clear example of Manitoba's generosity."

"I think we have fantastic students," said Bernie Loeppky, the incoming principal at MCI. "The ones who were going over there after school on their own initiative makes us so proud of the kind of students we have."

Loeppky said the school's student council organized a drive to pack hygiene items together for the newcomers and some of the students have gone over there on their own time to play soccer with everyone or play with the kids.

"I think on one occasion, they even taught some of the refugees Dutch Blitz," Loeppky laughed, referring to a very popular game often played at MCI.

The staff at MCI is committed to teaching Christian values to their students, but the new principal is happy with how the students have reacted to the need they have seen.

"It's one thing to say you believe and it's another thing to put that into action," Loeppky said. 

A refugee welcome centre recently opened up in Gretna, Manitoba, which has prompted many in the community to help.