The Coins for Kids program has been saved, and that means an extra $5,000 for children who use the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper.
The District Student Advisory Council has traditionally organized coin drives in all School District No. 42 schools to raise money for the Christmas Hamper Society.
Last year, that group gave 575 local families a merry Christmas – dinner and $100 worth of presents for each child.
But this December, because of the teachers’ strike that delayed the start of school, DSAC was not able to organize Coins for Kids on time.
However, school district staff are going to pitch in with the project – contacting principals, sending collection tins to schools and whatever else is necessary to ensure the annual fundraiser goes ahead.
“It’s an important campaign, both for our schools and for our community,” said Irena Pochop, school district manager of communications.
“As soon as we discovered that it was logistically possible to co-ordinate this drive from the district education office, there was no question that we would move ahead with it.”
Lorraine Bates, co-chair of the Hamper Society, is pleased the fundraising program is continuing.
“Yay to the SD42 office, now known as the Christmas Angels,” she said.