The Graduating Class at Emily Stowe in Norwich Donates $12,887 to Three Local Charities

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Thursday, 5 November 2020 11:11

Students were devastated to learn their grade 8 grad trip had been cancelled; however they decided to turn a negative into a positive and donate the money they had been fundraising all year to charity.

NORWICH - Students at Emily Stowe Elementary School have donated nearly $13,000 to three local charities.

The grade 8 graduating class had $12,887 leftover after fundraising all year for their annual class trip to Quebec City. Student Jacqueline Yates says it was devastating when they found out the trip had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It was devastating to be honest, it is something you look forward to the moment you enter grade 8. You spend you're whole year fundraising for it, talking about it and waiting to go on the trip, only to find out it was going to be cancelled."

Yates says the class decided to turn a negative into a positive and donate the money to charity.

"We decided this as a class, and with the money we wanted to give back to the community, so we chose two local places to our school, the Norwich and Otterville Optimist clubs and the Children's Health Foundation. It felt good to give back to the community , especially to know it was going somewhere very local and impact our lives and help people in our community."

The Foundation and the clubs will get an equal share of the total amount. Alison Vankerrebroek, president of the Norwich Optimist Club, who is also an Emily Stowe teacher, said her organization is especially grateful for the donation since the club’s traditional fundraiser's have been curtailed by COVID-19 public health restrictions. She is also happy to see the money stay in the community where it was raised.

"I am so pleased that the Grade 8's chose our local Optimist club that puts the money right back into the community,” said Vankerrebroek. “I am so glad the Grade 8 class decided to keep the funds in the community."

Scott Fortnum, President and CEO, Children's Health Foundation, thanked the students for “paying it forward to support sick kids in our community.

"This year has been difficult, with many plans cancelled or postponed. While it is disappointing that these Grade 8 students missed out on a graduation trip, it is wonderful to see them find a way to make it still meaningful. This generous donation will support patients at Children's Hospital who are experiencing their own challenges in hospital during a pandemic."

Otterville Optimist Club president Christine Hussey said her organization is “very grateful and appreciative for the donation from the Grade 8 class of 2020.

"We will ensure that the money will stay in our community and will be a representation they will be proud of for years to come, and for all to enjoy."

A special outdoor ceremony is planned with students from the graduating class presenting the donations to representatives from each organization on Saturday, November 14th at 2 p.m. at Emily Stowe Public School.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the school recognized the Grade 8 graduates with a virtual event that included a drive-up photo opportunity on Wednesday, November 4.