The Grade 10 students of Assumption school have banded together as the Crusaders for Critters, helping animals in need this holiday season.
The Grade 10 students of Assumption school have banded together as the Crusaders for Critters, helping animals in need this holiday season.
The group is encouraging their fellow Crusaders to donate to the Lakeland Humane Society through their annual fundraiser.
Each year, Assumption Jr./Sr. High Grade 10 students hold a fundraising campaign throughout the Advent season, a time of need for many non-profit organizations such as the humane society.
"It's just helping out those who can't afford it during this time (of year)," said student Jason Saindon. "Since some of us are so fortunate, we can help out."
Cathy Olliffe-Webster, resource development coordinator for the Lakeland Humane Society, said it is heartwarming to see the students pull together for their shelter.
"We can't do without the people in the community who do these things for us. It touches the heart to think that kids are out doing this."
In previous years, the students have fundraised for the Healthy Baby program with the local health unit, collecting bottles and baby formula. This year the school decided to expand their horizons.
"We were just trying to spread it out a little," said Lynne Vining, a Grade 10 teacher and organizer of the annual fundraiser. "We have seen in this economy that people can't afford to keep their pets, so we know that the humane society is really over run with animals."
Vining explained that in some cases, animals coming into the humane society require medical attention, so there can be additional expenses.
"Often the humane society gets overlooked because we're always looking at what we can do for other humans, but you know, animals are important too. So we want to do what we can to help animals, especially those that are homeless or abandoned."
Student Tanya Martineau agreed, "Animals also have values, so they too deserve to be helped."
The Crusaders for Critters campaign runs for three weeks, with each week focused on a different need at the humane society.
From Nov. 28 to Dec. 2, the school was accepting functional items, such as laundry detergent, bleach, dish soap, gloves, garbage bags, paper towels, batteries, and washcloths. The following week food donations were accepted, and this week, Dec. 12 to 16, is all about fun.
"The fact that the teachers and students are breaking it down and thinking, 'okay it's not just about giving them dog food, it's they need to go for walks, so lets think about those sorts of mechanical things,'" said Olliffe-Webster. "It's awesome that they are thinking about that."
The shelter is accepting donations for toys, treats, leashes and collars, but are emphasizing on the importance of cash donations.
"That's because we are trying to build a new shelter," explained Olliffe-Webster.
The Lakeland Humane Society is hoping to break ground by the end of 2017, so any donations that could help get them there are gratefully accepted.
Students running the campaign set up posters throughout the school, and sent newsletters home to parents letting them know about the fundraiser.
Martineau said it feels good to see her fellow students donate.
"It also feels good to know we are doing something as a school and that we are helping others out," added Saindon.
The Crusaders are encouraging the community to donate bottles at the Cold Lake Recycling Depot, donate cash or Canadian Tire Money, or go for a walk using the ResQwalk app, which raises money for the Lakeland Humane Society.
Olliffe-Webster was pleased to see the local students taking initiative and fundraising through Crusaders for Critters.
"It teaches them good citizenship. They grow up and they realize how important it is to help others in the community and it teaches them to be good people when they grow up."
Items to be donated to the project can be dropped off at Assumption, or at the humane society directly.
