The final tally is in, revealing another successful day for École West Park School’s annual Cleanathon.
Now in its 34th year, the event sees Grade 4-6 students collect pledges for cleaning up Altona each spring and then donating that money to local non-profit Blue Sky Opportunities, which works with individuals with intellectual disabilities.
This year’s event raised just over $30,000.
“That’s our second highest year, so far,” said executive director Ryan Potter. “Our top record was the event after the pandemic, after we had to cancel for two years.”
After three years of heading up the organization, Potter says he’s still blown away by the enthusiasm the students have in participating in the event.
“They get so excited just to go pick up garbage. And when you look at all the money they raise, year after year, it’s really quite incredible.”
This year’s funding will go towards renovating the Blue Sky’s day program, geared for clients who work from Monday to Friday at the main building.
“We’ll be upgrading the opportunities room, high level care rooms, and work rooms, and we’re hoping to do a kitchen renovation, as well.”
Potter says he’s deeply grateful to the community and the students for all their hard work and support.
“They’re learning about a very important local organization, learning to take pride in their community and establishing life-long habits. It’s just a win-win for everybody.”
Gr. 5 students Chelsea and Farah were part of a group cleaning the northwest corner of town. Chelsea said it was fun being outside during a school day and tidying up the community. She said now she’ll be even more aware of any garbage she finds lying around town in the future, and she’ll be sure to dispose of it.
“Altona needs to be healthy and tidy, and this will help the plants grow better, too,” she said.
“It makes our town look good, too, and makes people happy because it’s clean,” Farah said. “Plus, we’re raising money for Blue Sky.”
Chelsea added, “Blue Sky is important because it helps people with disabilities. It’s also extra special to me because I have a cousin with a disability. I can see why it matters so much.”
School principal Derek Sawatzky said it was a fantastic day for staff and students alike.
“The weather couldn’t have been any better. The kids were so enthusiastic getting out there to go pick up big and little scraps of garbage. They’re always proud of what they find and we’re so proud of the effort they put out there. The kids who participated in the fundraising never cease to amaze us. There were kids who, on the first day of canvassing, had already gathered a sheet of 21 names, and then they just went out there for more.”
He said it’s a great way for the students to raise awareness about what Blue Sky Opportunities does for individuals with disabilities and for the community at large.
“We really appreciate that through this process, we also get a tour of the facility, so the kids can see firsthand what it is that they do, so that helps motivate them even more.”
After a full afternoon of foraging for trash, the students headed back to school to enjoy a hot dog, drink and ice cream treat supplied by Blue Sky.
“They can just relax and look back on all their hard work,” said Sawatzy. “They make us proud, year after year.”
