By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

St. Joseph grad service project supporting Smiles Thru Lindsey

Apr 5, 2018 | 11:13 AM

Graduating students at St. Joseph High School are gearing up for a big week.
 
Beginning Monday the 16th, the school’s first ever grad service project kicks off with a week of planned activities and fundraising for the Smiles Thru Lindsey Foundation.
 
The grad committee chose Smiles Thru Lindsey — named for former Notre Dame student Lindsey More who died from suicide — because students continue to see daily the impacts of mental illness on their peers.

“We are striving to work towards a culture where we can break down the barriers related to mental illness and make it easier for our students to talk about it,” says Ashley Visscher, Event Coordinator. “Many of the events we have planned stem from the notion of ‘togetherness’ and how the hands of many have the potential to create change and positively impact youth struggling with these illnesses.”

Monday will feature an ambitious endeavour by students who have committed to unplug for mental health, meaning no cellphones.

On Tuesday, State & Main South are hosting a Restaurant Takeover from 5-8 p.m. with a portion of the cost from every meal going to the grad service project. There will also be a silent auction and celebrity servers.

Wednesday is ‘A Smile a Day Keeps the Doctor Away,’ with an on-site photobooth and smile wall. Thursday, students will host an exercisathon for mental health, and Friday is ‘Let it Ripple’ Day where grade nine students from feeder schools will come in and learn about how to make a smooth transition to high school.

May 11

Kinex Arena parts up for grabs ahead of demolition

40m ago

roy e. cope award

Two retiring Chinook's Edge educators to receive award for dedication to students

15h ago

making students' lives better

Two staff with Clearview Public Schools receiving recognition for outstanding work

May 07, 2024

There is also a week-long bottle drive.

Lindsey’s father Rick More says it would be amazing to see the no cellphone day become something bigger, adding how happy he is to see his daughter’s legacy live on.

“It’s huge, and it’s my medicine too. It’s Lindsey’s legacy and we know it’s helping,” he says. “We get messaging saying it does. They say ‘Because of you, I’m alive or am seeking help.’ Sometimes the work is endless, but every time you get one of those, it spurs you on that it’s making a difference.”