By Sheldon Spackman

Normandeau students hold successful food bank fundraiser

Nov 15, 2018 | 10:57 AM

It was a hairy situation at Normandeau School in north Red Deer Wednesday as Principal Hans Huizing had students shave-off his beard in front of the entire school following the successful conclusion of their We Scare Hunger campaign.

Vice Principal Tracy Wirtanen says the Grade 7 and 8 students embarked on their campaign after attending a ‘We Day’ event in Edmonton October 12.

“This is a challenge that they took on, they made posters and publicized it around the school,” explains Wirtanen. “We have a lot of families-in-need in our school, so this was a way for them to give back to the community and raise some food for the Red Deer Food Bank.”

With this being the first time Normandeau students took part in the We Scare Hunger campaign, Wirtanen says their goal was to collect 100 food items.

“The kids brought-in 689,” she exclaims. “We are amazed at how everybody embraced this challenge. We had from every single grade from Pre-K to Grade 8, kids bringing in bags of food from home.”   

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As a result of the students surpassing their fundraising goal, Wirtanen says Principal Huizing graciously sacrificed his beard as a reward.

“We had his beard shaved in front of the entire school,” says Wirtanen. “Students who had brought in quite a bit of food, were asked to come up and each take a swipe with the razor on him. Mr. Huizing has had his beard for over 30 years, so it was a big moment for him too to shave that off.”

Wirtanen hopes the We Scare Hunger campaign and beard-shaving event is a reminder for people to continue to give.

“I think it’s important for us to recognize what a great leadership role that our students can take in an opportunity like this to be change-makers,” she concludes.