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Holy Cross Collegiate raised money for several charity organizations.
Students and staff from the school participated in various drives and initiatives, donating the money to local charities like the Wheatland County Food Bank, Strathmore Overnight Shelter, Mainsprings Pregnancy and Family Support, and Foothills Advocacy in Motion. Donations were also made to Chalice Canada and the Christmas Hamper Society.
The school raised exactly $7,787.67 throughout the school year.
Some of the popular food bank initiatives involved students participating in a 25-hour famine, where they stayed at the school overnight without food. A competition with the Strathmore Fire Department to see who can raise more pounds in food took place for an annual food drive. Despite losing the two previous years, the HCC students reigned this year.
"We've given them a run for their money and raised thousands of pounds of food for the food bank," summarized teacher Brent Wiley, who organized some of the fundraisers.
Teachers also went around the school with tin cans collecting loonies and toonies from the students. Donations from the school's mass services also went to the Strathmore Overnight Shelter.
"It's important to model to students what their Catholic faith looks like and for them to participate in that faith, " Wiley added.
Once the money was raised, the school invited the charities over and gifted them novelty cheques.
The school raised:
- $2,000 for the Wheatland County Food Bank
- $1,512 for Chalice Canada
- $2,500 for the Mainsprings Pregnancy and Family Support
- $417.66 for the Christmas Hamper Society
- $638.01 for the Strathmore Overnight Shelter
- $720 for Foothills Advocacy in Motion
"Part of living the Catholic faith is working with the people who have less than we do," reflected Wiley.
The school has run multiple drives and initiatives for over 20 years and will continue to do so.