Class Act: Burnaby students raise thousands for typhoon victims

Kudos to the Burnaby North students who led the charge to raise thousands for victims of Typhoon Haiyan.
Burnaby North students organized a districtwide fundraising campaign, holding Toonie Tuesdays, selling baked goods and popcorn, while requesting donations, and their efforts paid off. The students raised nearly $35,000 for the Canadian Red Cross. Their money will be stretched even further, as the Canadian government has offered to match donations to the Red Cross up until Dec. 23. Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in November and has claimed more than 5,000 lives.

Another jingle bell walk
Hot on the heels of Westridge Elementary, the students at Burnaby's Ecole Brantford are organizing a Jingle Bell Walk next Friday.
On Dec. 6, elementary students will leave flyers on doorsteps of homes in the school's community. The flyers inform people of how they can donate food and coats for the cause. On Friday, Dec. 13, the students will return to pick up donations, which will be distributed to others schools to support families in need.

Hunger Actions
Students at Burnaby's SFU campus have been busy helping single moms in need. Students from across the university are involved in Enactus, a volunteer organization that runs Hunger Actions, a program that offers free financial literacy and healthy cooking workshops for single moms. Enactus has chapters in different universities, and students create programs to address some of the needs in their communities.
Business student Leslie Chow manages the SFU Hunger Actions program and has been involved in Enactus for two years.
"I really grew up in family where everything was provided for me, ...  but I also realized some people are going through tough times and I really wanted to give back to the community. It's something I'm really passionate about," said Chow.
The next Hunger Actions event is scheduled for January at Vancouver's Hillcrest Community Centre. The workshop focuses on easy recipes for healthy meals and tips to save money on groceries. The group has mostly held events in Vancouver, but many of the students attend SFU's Burnaby campus.
For more information, email the group at [email protected].
Capital One is one of the main sponsors of Enactus, Chow said.

Musical accompaniment
Band students from Burnaby South Secondary brought some Christmas cheer to the pancake breakfast fundraiser for the Burnaby Christmas Bureau at the Hilton on Thursday. The band performed Christmas-themed music for the crowds flocking to the hotel for a hot, pancake breakfast in exchange for a donation to the bureau, which provides toys for children and hampers for seniors during the holidays.

Do you have an education related item to share with the community? Email details to Jennifer Moreau, [email protected].