Students at Maple Ridge school raise thousands for flood victims

Students at Yennadon elementary raised thousands for flood victims after a fundraising campaign by leadership students.

The leadership team titled the fundraiser Flood the Valley With Care and challenged students at the school to each bring in a loonie. The goal was to raise $700 for the B.C. Red Cross Flood Relief fund.

Instead, in five days, from Nov. 22 to 26, the school community raised $2,619.92.

“Every December we collect for various things to provide service to our community,” explained school principal Lisa Lawrance.

Usually at this time of the year students at the school focus on raising money for the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society to purchase gift cards for teens and tweens in need, and also for the Coins for Kids drive to purchase toys for children in need in the community.

But the students wanted to dedicate one week of their fundraising this year for the flood victims.

The leadership students also challenged other schools to help out.

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Students at Eric Langton elementary, Alexander Robinson elementary, SD42 Learning Services Department, Hammond elementary, and Golden Ears elementary, also took part.

Students at Golden Ears elementary set a goal for $600.

Lawrence was proud of her school’s community.

“When we ask them to participate in challenges like this, our community always really pulls through,” she said.

This week, from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, students at Yennadon will be focusing on raising money for the school’s Christmas hamper drive for needy families at the school.