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West Park Elementary donation challenge supports local charities

Feb 27, 2019 | 11:17 AM

A Red Deer school continues to support local charities.

West Park Elementary School held a friendly competition throughout February as students worked together in their classes to raise donations for five charities during their annual donation challenge.

 

 

This is the 13th straight year that the school has held a donation challenge. This year they collected mitts, socks and toques for the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter, spare change for the Central Alberta Humane Society, non-perishable food items for the Red Deer and District Food Bank, granola bars and juice boxes collected for Safe Harbour Society, and hygiene products for the Ronald McDonald House of Central Alberta.

Grade 2 teacher Brittany Drawbridge says it’s a great learning experience for the students.

“I think it teaches them that just the small community of West Park Elementary, how much of an impact we can make for our community around us,” she says.

“All together, collectively, we really make a big impact on our community, and it’s awesome to bring it all together in an assembly so they can see visually how much we’ve collected and see the greater picture.”

Grade 5 student Rhiley Macleod says he’s happy with the school’s generosity.

“I’m just really happy our school decided to take part in this and that I was able to help. “

His classmate Lydia Sacallis says she’s had a very positive experience through the donation challenge.

“I like to give and it was just really nice to know my school did this. I’m most proud of how everyone tried to help, and everyone put a little bit in.”

Drawbridge says she’s blown away with the student’s generosity.

“Oh, so proud. It’s amazing how giving our students are, and some families that are bringing in even the smallest donations to big donations, it all helps. It’s just such a great cause.”