Sacré-Coeur students show fundraising spirit for CancerCare Manitoba

A Grade 5 class at École Sacré-Coeur School rolled up their sleeves and got to work to help the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. 

Teacher Kim de Waal and her students had been studying young humanitarians, including Winnipeg's Hannah Taylor for her Ladybug Foundation and Greta Thunberg for her climate activism. 

"My students learned that young people can make a big difference in the world,” Ms. de Waal said. "Students were inspired by this and decided to create their fundraising campaign."

The class decided to raise money for the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. Together, the students decided they would do chores at home and set a goal of four hours per week for $5.00/hour, or $400 total over five weeks.

Students did many chores, including window washing, sweeping, dishwashing, vacuuming, gardening, washing the car, mowing the lawn, cleaning the garage, raking, reorganizing their bedroom, and repairing electronic devices. 

"I am so very proud of my students. I did not want this to burden their parents, so I strongly encouraged the children to take on tasks above and beyond their normal chores. I wanted this to be a sacrifice of time and effort on their part to make a positive difference in their community," said Ms. de Waal.

The Grade 5 students raised a total of $570 for the foundation. CancerCare Manitoba representatives said the students’ humanitarian gesture was greatly appreciated.

"Our building, where many people go for treatment every day, overlooks the school. When students do fundraising, it makes a big difference," said Sherelle Kwan of CancerCare Manitoba. "From us at CancerCare Manitoba and the patients, we say thank you, the students should be very proud of themselves."