Through the year, our schools have a tradition of giving to those in need. Here is a snapshot of some of the things our schools take part in.

Updated December 15 – 

For the month of December students at Dunstable School have been working to Stuff their “Bear Stockings” for the Santa’s Toy Box Program. They have a friendly competition between their Bear House groups to bring in donations and to help those in need. Their Panda Bear House collected over 80 items – overall 182 items were collected and donated to Barrhead FCSS.

Barrhead Elementary School – For over 6 years now, Ecole Barrhead Elementary School has been working on a community project with FCSS to raise money and collect toys for families for the holidays. Through the project, students learn about supporting their community and creating community spirit. This year students in 6A and 6D raised $901 through a school bake sale and used that money to buy toys. The school also accepted toy donations in collections boxes outside the school office. They are proud to support their community and spread a little holiday spirit.

The school leadership group at Barrhead Composite High School collected non-perishable food items to be donated to the FCSS Food Bank. The school is also collecting donations for the Stollery Children’s Hospital through their Stylin for the Stollery fundraiser.

Regional Office staff provided Christmas gifts and food for one local family through FCSS Adopt-a-Family.

Busby School has a “Tree of Warmth” is filled with new hats, mitts, scarves, and blankets that will be donated to FCSS in Westlock. They have also adopted four local families who need a boost this holiday season. Parents, staff, and the Busby Lions have partnered to donate gifts, clothing, and food to help bring joy this Christmas.

RF Staples hosted their Christmas Star program again this year. The Christmas tree in their main office has 57 Christmas stars on it, each representing a student who may not receive a gift at Christmas. By choosing a star with the gender and age of the student, people can purchase a gift (minimum of $20) and return it to the office wrapped with the star attached. Almost all the stars have been taken by staff and students – there are only 8 remaining.

École Westlock Elementary School participated in the Toonies for Toys campaign. Monies collected are matched by a local pharmacy and Discovery toys are purchased for Santa’s Anonymous. They also did a Happy Holiday Hygiene campaign. Hygiene items were collected and sent into the food bank for families in need.  As a staff they also adopt 2 local families and provide Christmas dinner and gifts for them.  

Each year Vista Virtual School staff volunteer for the Adopt-A-Family program to deliver Christmas hampers loaded with food and gifts to Calgary families. Turn out is always great and it fills our hearts with joy to help out those in need at a special time of year. This year VVS staff will once again be volunteering with Adopt-A-Family on December 14 and 15 in what is sure to be a special day for all.

Pembina North Community School students brought in 863 kilograms (1,902 pounds) of food for the We Scare Hunger Food Bank Campaign organized by Westlock Ford.  All the food donations will go to the local Westlock Food Bank.

Neerlandia Public Christian School is sponsoring a remote Aboriginal School in northern Saskatachewan, Sally Ross School. Students and staff have been collecting donations of food, clothing, money, toys, personal hygiene items, etc. and the response has been overwhelming. They will be accepting donations until December 8th. The grade 2 and 3 students are also writing pen pal letters to students at the school. The sponsorship is coordinated through lampministry.org.

Staff at the Alberta Distance Learning Centre campuses across the province are fundraising to make a difference this holiday season.

• Lethbridge is supporting the Salvation Army Adopt-a-Family program
• Edmonton is collecting donations for the Bissell Centre to support families in need
• Barrhead is raising money for the Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta through numerous activities including silent auctions, “Jeans for December”, and a chili luncheon

Stay tuned for more stories like these – we will continue to share them on our website.