A group of students from Prairie Dale School in Schanzenfeld got the chance to go on a bit of a shopping spree last week.
Armed with the proceeds raised through a fundraising bake sale they organized in support of the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Group’s Christmas Toy Drive, the gaggle of Gr. 4 and Gr. 6 girls hit the aisles at Canadian Tire Thursday to try and find the toys most likely to put a smile on the faces of kids dealing with cancer.
“We all came up with an idea [to support] children’s hospitals,” explained Veronika, Gr. 6.
When they found out about the toy drive— which throughout November was collecting donations for Candlelighters’ annual Christmas party for families dealing with childhood cancer; any extra toys will be donated to the Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg—it seemed the perfect cause to rally behind, the girls said.
“You get to help lots of people that need it,” noted Carly, Gr. 6.
Some of the girls have family members who have spent time in hospital, they shared, so they know firsthand how important it is to know people are thinking about them.
The sale itself raised $242.90, rounded up to an even $300 thanks to a donation from principal Anny Froese. A local business, who wished to remain anonymous, chipped in another $200 to give the girls $500 to spend.
Coupled with a 10 per cent discount from Canadian Tire, they managed to fill a shopping cart to the brim with toys, overflowing the toy drive drop-off box at the store.
“On behalf of Prairie Dale School, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for the generosity extended by the local businesses involved and the parent volunteers that supported and encouraged this act of kindness,” said Froese.
Candlelighters board chair Naomi Fehr was thrilled at the initiative the kids took on the charity’s behalf.
“Any time a kid sees needs somewhere outside of themselves, it’s such a huge thing,” she says. “You can teach a kid a thousands things, but being a good human, being a good person, thinking of other people? That’s just so important, and it just melts my heart they wanted to do this for us.”
