Springbank Community High School students did their part to help the less fortunate this holiday season. On Dec. 16, students dropped off more than 300 pairs of socks filled with essential items to the Mustard Seed in Calgary. The donation, along with a charity hockey game held Dec. 10, was part of a perennial fundraiser at the school.
“First of all, this is a leadership activity. (Students) do it as a leadership project, and it’s carried on from year to year,” Springbank Principal Pam Davidson said. “I think that notion of a tradition, that is a school and community tradition, to pay it forward in terms of helping the community in a time of giving, that’s part of being a citizen and contributing to your community.”
Hayley Melrose, a Grade 11 student and member of the school’s One Village Club – a group of students who work on social justice projects – co-ordinated preparation of the socks. To attain items, Melrose and her peers contacted local businesses and requested donations.
“We went to many hotels and dentistry offices and asked them for donations,” she said. “It was kind of terrifying. But once I got that first one done, it was really good.
“The (businesses) were really excited about it and they really wanted to help us out. It was amazing how much support we got.”
With soaps, hand lotions, toothbrushes and more items in tow, Springbank students prepared the socks for donation, filling the box of a half-ton truck.
“It felt really rewarding and like we were doing the right thing. It felt like we were making a real difference,” Melrose said. “I hope we (made) the holiday season a little brighter for at least a couple of people. I really hope we accomplished it.”
Along with the sock donation, the school was able to donate more than $1,300 raised during a charity hockey game that included alumni members of the Calgary Flames, including Joel Otto, Lanny McDonald and Curtis Glencross. The charity game, as well as the sock donation, was first organized by McDonald’s son, who is a graduate of Springbank Community High School.
“The kids have carried on the (tradition),” Davidson said. “Our students realize part of being part of a community is giving back. This is one way they are able to give back and have a little bit of fun at the same time.”
Of the funds collected from the game, $500 went to the Chase Hudye Memorial Fund and the remainder, along with the sock donations, benefited the Mustard Seed.
“This time of year, it can be hard for a lot of people,” Melrose said. “Especially with the way the economy has turned. It’s important to offer these basic necessities so people can spend more time with their families without having to (worry).”
