Posted by Sudbury Northern Life
Last fall, students in Rainbow Schools were invited to hear Marc Kielburger, the chief executive director of Free the Children, deliver a powerful message of hope and change.
Kielburger talked to students about the environment, leadership, and their individual and community responsibilities as part of the Rainbow District School Board's focus on education for sustainable development. He inspired them to "be the change," noting small changes by many people can make a big difference.
Rainbow Schools took the message to heart, including students at Levack Public School where children, parents and staff raised $636.97 for Free the Children in a mere four weeks.
"After hearing Marc Kielburger speak, some students from our school decided that one thing we could do was to take up a coin collection," said teacher Meredith Guse Doyle. "We began collecting money on Jan. 5 with a goal of raising $500."
The students in Guse Doyle's class counted the money every few days and kept the rest of the school informed of the total raised via a bulletin board and regular announcements. On the last day, after counting and rolling all the coin, they found they had far surpassed their goal.
"We have witnessed some incredible acts of generosity by many of the children in our school, from a Grade 1 boy who put the change from his lunch money in the collection jar, to a Grade 4 boy who collected every penny he could find around his house for the whole month, and ended up giving $51 all by himself," the teacher said.
That was just the beginning. "There was also a Grade 8 girl who came into the office after school and quietly put $5 in the jar when no one was looking, so as not to get any credit or recognition for it. And, a Senior Kindergarten child emptied his entire piggy bank into the jar. Students have displayed tremendous generosity and character. It has been absolutely amazing."
