This year on National Philanthropy Day, Island Pacific School was nominated for a Giving Hearts Award for Outstanding Youth Philanthropist.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals recognizes individuals and groups that make a difference in their communities. We are honoured that Covenant House chose our students as important change makers.
Community service is one of the foundations of our programing, which is aimed to inspire middle school students. Each grade has a different focus. The grades six and seven classes volunteer on Bowen Island; from the Bowen Children’s Centre to Collensia Community Farm. Grade eight students individually choose an organization that they want to contribute to by fundraising or action. Grade nine students work with Covenant House Vancouver by hosting Sleep Out Student Edition, raising awareness and funds for homeless youth. Over five years, IPS students have raised more than $40,000. Just before we break for winter holidays, the school dedicates a day where the juniors bake and cook for the Bowen Food Bank and the seniors volunteer at Quest Food Exchange in Vancouver putting together holiday hampers for families.
On a more global scale, IPS has a relationship with an orphanage and school in Ghana, West Africa. Students have been writing penpal letters for 10 years and have raised about $55,000 to send students to senior high school.
We hope that this involvement at a formative time in a student’s development, will make a lasting impression and they will grow to into people who help make positive change in the world.
Island Pacific School is a non-profit registered charity. Learn more about our Community Partner’s Program: islandpacific.org/giving/.
