The Elphinstone Secondary School grad class of 2013 blew through their fundraising goals in a very big way.
"We knew the students and their parents were working overtime to raise money for grad activities," said grad parent co-chair Ginny Blattler said. "But we were absolutely stunned when the numbers came in and we had raised $17,000 more than we needed."
The graduates decided the money should go back to the community in a fashion that would benefit children and youth.
"The people who donated to us wanted to support kids and we want to make sure that's how their generosity gets used," added class treasurer Kaitlyn Killackey.
As usual, the 2013 class will leave a legacy gift to the school - this year a large mural painting in the gym, a table/bench for the school and a donation towards 2014 grad bursaries. However, in addition, grads will donate $10,000 to the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society to be disbursed to: the Sunshine Coast Food Bank to feed homeless and street kids in Gibsons and Sechelt, the youth outreach program, Youth in Transition that supports youth to develop skills for transitioning to adulthood, the Bellies and Babies Program, which is available to pregnant youth, the Yew Transition House, which supports kids in crisis that come with their moms for counselling and daycare and Kids in Motion, which supports kids with disabilities with specialized physical programs.
"Over and over we see how generous this community can be," said grad co-chair Darin Macey. "We're proud of the students and parents who worked so hard to raise this money, and we're also proud of the entire community and grateful to be a part of it."
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