Eight students at 脡cole Desrochers have embarked on a year-long fundraising mission to punch their ticket to WE Day鈥攁n annual event that celebrates youth who make a difference both locally and globally.
To attend the stadium-sized event in Calgary next October, the organization asks students to support a local and global cause.
After exploring various humanitarian causes last year, the group chose to support the Jasper Food Bank and to raise money to provide clean water to a community in India.
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a great opportunity to do something good for the world and the community in Jasper,鈥� said Sadie MacDowell, one of eight students participating in the initiative.
The students chose to support the food bank because they felt it was often overlooked and because many of the students already have a connection to the food bank, having collected non-perishable food items during Halloween and Christmas last year.
鈥淲e chose the food bank because they always need extra help,鈥� said Thea-Rose Catto, another student involved in the initiative.聽
Globally, the group decided fundraising money for clean water was a worthy cause because of the abundance of fresh, clean water available in Jasper.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so fortunate to have clean water in Jasper,鈥� said Catto.
鈥淲e researched all the countries and we based our decision on what percentage of people need water and India was the most in need,鈥� said Andreane Bolduc-Herandez.聽
The group hopes to raise a minimum of $2,500 for the global initiative.
To raise money, the students intend to hold a series of fundraisers over the next eight months.
The first fundraiser is called 鈥淯nis Pour le Changement鈥濃�擶e Create Change鈥攁nd will see jars put in stores to collect loose change. The fundraiser begins March 3 and runs until March 18.
Students have also challenged their peers and teachers to put money into one of three jars at the school. Each jar corresponds with a challenge that the teachers have promised to do, such as wearing makeup applied by a student for the entire day.
The jar with the most money will decide which challenge the teachers have to complete.
The group also intends to return recyclables collected by Robinsons, hold a door-to-door raffle in May and will earn an honorarium from the Royal Canadian Legion for busing tables during Sugar Shack March 12.
All of the money raised will go towards the two causes, said Janice Branch, the school鈥檚 community activities coordinator.
According to WE Day, groups are expected to report back on their results to earn their spot at WE Day, which is by invitation only, but free to attend.
Paul Clarke [email protected]
