School raises over $2,000

Written by production

Wednesday, 03 February 2010 19:14

The students at I.F. Cox School in Redcliff get top marks in philanthropy after raising far more than expected in a fundraising event for the people of Haiti. At a special school assembly on Friday afternoon, the school announced the amount raised from a silent auction, as well as from cash donations. The school raised $2,408.06 in cash donations and another $944 in their silent auction. "Look at how much difference you have all made in just two weeks," said Gogolinski. "Two weeks ago we decided to hold a fundraiser for the people of Haiti and everybody has been so helpful," she added. Grade 3 student Connor Barnes received a gold medal for his fundraising efforts when he took advantage of the snowfall on Jan. 23-24 by shoveling neighbours sidewalks and raising $80, all of which was donated for the Haiti fundraiser. School custodian, Ernie Reimer, approached school administration with the idea for a fundraiser after watching television coverage of the aftermath of the earthquake. "I have always been a bit of a philanthropist. I like to give to people who are needy and when I saw the need in Haiti, I wanted to do something," said Reimer. "When you see on TV, the children who are suffering, you know that this is the right thing to do. I thought doing something through the school would be a great idea. Children are innocent and they really care about other people. All they know is that they want to help each other," he added. Reimer approached principal Melissa Gogolinski with his idea and the ball was rolling for a fundraising event. "I talked to Melissa and Frances Barnes and knew Frances could really get going with this and she did," he said. Students, staff, and parents immediately began donating money and items for a silent auction and within a week were nearing their goal of raising $2,000 in two weeks. "We have met and surpassed our goal. Plus, the government is matching the donation," said Reimer. The students were then shown a slideshow of Haiti, with many images showing before the earthquake and the destruction following it. The children listened as they were told how impoverished Haiti was even before the earthquake. "They live in houses made of sheets of plywood. Many have no electricity or plumbing and there is no proper sanitation. Most people live on $2 per day, or $800 a year. That is about the cost of an X-Box and Playstation. That is how much money they have for an entire year," explained one of the teachers. The Canadian Red Cross, to whom I.F. Cox will be donating the money, estimates that the earthquake has affected 3 million people with 1.2 million being left homeless.