Grade 8 students at King George Community School are donating their hard earned cash to those affected by the Fort McMurray fire.
On Thursday, May 5, the students held a fundraiser at school for their Grade 8 farewell.
During the fundraiser, the students auctioned their time to staff members at the school for such activities as playing with younger students at recess, cleaning up the playground and helping the caretaking staff. The auction raised more than $1,000 for the students’ celebration.
However, that same afternoon while talking in class about current events and the devastation in Fort McMurray, the students collectively agreed to donate $1,000 from the auction to the Red Cross to support those affected by the fire.
On May 6, the students presented the donation to Richard Kies, provincial development manager for the Canadian Red Cross.
News of the contribution resulted in an outpouring of public response to the story of the students’ generosity. Since then, Saskatoon-based contracting firm Points Athabasca has offered to contribute $1,000 to help cover the cost of the Grade 8 farewell celebration for the students.
Principal Krista Sego says the students have been “overwhelmed” by the positive response to their donation and the school is thankful for the contribution from Points Athabasca.
The students also received a special thank you from a family who were among those that fled the fire. Originally from Saskatoon, Auden and Kim Klath along with their young son were among the Fort McMurray residents who had to leave the city in the face of the wildfire.
They visited the school to share their experience with the Grade 7-8 students and to express appreciation for the students’ effort to help those affected by the fire. Kim Klath, a teacher, also spoke to the class about her concern for her own students.
The family was initially evacuated to a camp north of the Fort McMurray. They plan to reside at the family cabin in Saskatchewan until they are able to return home.
