Schools in the Upper Grand District school Board have been busy raising fund for those affected by the wildfire in Fort McMurray.
More than 80,000 people fled north and south of Fort McMurray after a wildfire near the city ballooned in size on May 3.
People fled their homes, leaving behind pets and belongings, as fire destroyed entire neighbourhoods.
According to provincial officials, the fire conditions in Alberta remain extreme. A total of 19 wildfires are burning, two of them out of control. Two fires in the Fort McMurray area have joined – the wildfire is now approximately 250,000 hectares.
Both the Alberta and federal governments have pledged to match donations made to the Canadian Red Cross. As of May 13, the donation tally had reached $86 million.
Staff and students across the Upper Grand District School Board are pitching in to the relief efforts, holding fundraisers for Fort McMurray.
Below is a sample of what some Upper Grand schools are doing to support those affected by the fires.
Students at Drayton Heights Public School organized a school-wide challenge, asking classes to compete with each other to raise the most money.
James McQueen Public School in Fergus collected donations, hoping to raise $1,000 to send to the Canadian Red Cross.
Students at Elora Public School brought in coins for donation from May 11 to May 17.
John Black Public School in Fergus had a four-day fundraiser, selling items daily during nutritional breaks. On May 13, staff and students brought in nut-free treats for a school-wide bake sale.
At Brisbane Public School in Erin, a few students asked how the school could help families that lost their homes to fire. As a result, the school began collecting donations for the Red Cross, encouraging the school community to make a donation at the school or through the school’s online system.
Centre Wellington District High School in Fergus is holding a “Falcons for Fort McMurray” fundraising dinner on May 26.
At that dinner, the school will show a presentation that was created by the Exploring the Arts class. Students recorded a song about Fort McMurray and are also creating a video and album cover, encouraging people to donate to the Red Cross.
A grade 8 student at Erin Public School is organizing a fundraiser where students bid to “pie” their teacher. Students will drop money in the teacher’s bucket they’d like to see get a whipped cream pie in the face.
Students can also donate money in a bid to be the student that gets to throw the pie.
All proceeds will go to the Red Cross to help fund emergency food supplies, clothing, shelter and more.
