MALLAIG – Students organized a hot dog and ice cream float sale fundraiser on June 14 at Mallaig School in support of those affected by the Alberta wildfires.
School principal Kellie Handford said the Grade 8 and 9 classes led the fundraiser as part of their religion class. “They came up with the plan to sell floats and hotdogs and they chose the organization they wanted to fundraiser for,” she explained.
The students raised approximately $800 that will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross' 2023 Alberta Fires Appeal.
Grade 8 student Ibrahim Yamani was among the organizers. He said that as part of their class, they were asked to fundraise for a cause. He raised the idea of fundraising for those affected by the wildfires.
The idea was well received by his classmates, “because the fires have been devastating,” he said. “Lots of people are losing their homes... so what we did was we organized lunch, and some ice cream floats along with some hot dogs made by us.”
He said many students, teachers, and staff members at the school bought the hot dogs and floats, and he thanked them for their support. “We could not have done this without them.”
On behalf of the Grade 8 and 9 classes, Yamani also thanked Mallaig teacher Martin Amyotte who provided all the supplies, and “he’s the one that really planned out things for us.” Also, “Mrs. Tanya McConnell, because even though we were a bit behind. She kept us going.”
Handford commended the students for their hard work. “It makes me very proud of our school,” she said, adding, Mallaig School prides itself on the many projects it does throughout the course of the school year.
The fact that this one was student-led, and student-drive gives that sense of pride and accomplishment, said the principal.
“It’s an overall good feeling to know that we’re part of a school that’s making a difference to somebody in the province,” said Handford.
