Sixteen old school desks are at the centre of a lesson in compassion for students at Elizabeth Buckley School.
The desks had recently been replaced by new ones, purchased through fundraising efforts of the school’s parents advisory council. The desks are still in good shape, so the decision was made to donate them to the Compassionate Resource Warehouse, a local non-profit organization that gathers items for international relief.
The desks will continue to serve their primary purpose, as they will be shipped to a school in the Republic of South Sudan in east-central Africa.
But the gift didn’t stop there. The student council decided to add to the donation, collecting toys, books and school supplies to accompany every desk.
“I am really excited about sending toys and other things we collected,” said Sienna Nargang-White, a Grade 5 student at the independent school.
“I am happy they are going toward a good cause, rather than ending up at a garage sale.”
Fundraising is not new to the students. Micah Wosilius, who is in Grade 6, said he had been involved in other charitable events, including food drives, while attending the school — but collecting the gifts to accompany the desks was “the biggest one this year.”
Although he and classmate Rachael Maudsley are graduating this year, both say they leave behind a framework for the incoming class to easily pick up next year.
“It has been an invaluable experience for the children,” said vice-principal Heather Sasaki.
“The project was a natural fit with the students’ social studies. Although this was the first time we have done something like this, we have been so happy with the results we are thinking of making it a yearly event.”
Rotary donates $80,000 to Cool Aid
Planned renovations to Victoria Cool Aid Society’s Downtown Community Centre got a $80,000 boost last week from the Rotary Club of Victoria.
“The very generous support of the Rotary Club of Victoria has made it possible to make upgrades that we have needed for many years,” said Kathy Stinson, Cool Aid’s executive director in a statement.
“We have been seeking funds for these capital improvements for several years but it was only when Rotarians generously stepped up that we were able to proceed. I cannot thank them enough.”
The provincial government contributed $34,600 to the Pandora Avenue centre, which provides services to people who are homeless and vulnerable. Improvements include soundproofing, an expanded computer room and energy-efficient lighting.
“To honour 100 years of service in Victoria, local Rotarians wanted to make a significant contribution that would help others for many years to come,” said club president Rosalind Scott. “We chose the Downtown Community Centre because of its dedication to youth and adults who need help and are taking steps to improve their own health and situation.”
Canada Post aids Mustard Seed
More than 70 Canada Post workers spent their day off last week criss-crossing the city, collecting food and financial donations for the 16th annual Postie Food Drive in support of the Mustard Seed.
“People in the community love participating in this event,” said Lucie Hulford, the food drive co-ordinator.
“It’s a convenient way to donate, and it’s a fun way for Canada Post employees in Greater Victoria to work together in support of a great cause.”
About 8,000 kilograms of non-perishable food were collected from more than 40,000 households in Victoria, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Saanich and Sidney last weekend — bringing the total collected over 16 years to more than 225,000 kilograms.
“Spring is a time when the food bank struggles with fewer donations and increased need, so this food drive comes at an important time for the Mustard Seed,” said food bank director Brent Palmer.
The charity serves approximately 7,000 people every month, including about 1,000 families.
Retirees set up UVic scholarship
Students wanting to enter the public service will now have access to a University of Victoria scholarship thanks to the Victoria branch of the National Association of Federal Retirees. The $25,000 endowment will fund a scholarship for a School of Public Administration graduate student who plans a career in the public service.
The scholarship is dedicated to Fred Whitehouse, who founded the association 50 years ago. The first scholarship will be awarded this fall.
The association is the largest national volunteer advocacy organization representing retirees from the Public Service of Canada, the Canadian Forces, RCMP and federally appointed judges.
It is a not-for-profit association with more than 180,000 members and 84 branches across Canada. The association has 27,000 members in B.C. and more than 4,700 in Victoria.
Would you go to bat for Layritz family?
Families watching their children play games at Layritz Park this weekend are asked to consider making a donation to help a family of six who lost their house to fire last month. The family, whose children play in the Lakehill Little League, lost all their belongings in the fire.
The Layritz Little League Board has already voted to donate $500 to the family. They have placed a collection box at the concession to collect donations.
