St. Anne’s Grade 8 Students Raise Over $8,000 and Give Back Through Kingdom Assignment
Grade 8 students at St. Anne’s Blenheim embraced the call to serve others through the Kingdom Assignment, finding meaningful ways to help their community.
Each student was given $25 and encouraged to use their talents, creativity and resources to make a positive impact during the season of Lent. This could include raising money for charity, performing an act of kindness, or paying it forward.
In June, the students also had the opportunity to share their initiatives with Chatham-Kent Mayor Darren Canniff, who visited Blenheim to hear about the projects.
“I continue to be impressed by the power of this initiative as a witness to faith in action,” said St. Anne principal Tiffany Clarke. “I am deeply proud of our teachers for their leadership in guiding this meaningful work and of our Grade 8 students for the compassion, creativity, and generosity they demonstrate throughout the process. It is inspiring to see our students using their gifts and talents to serve others, strengthen their community, and make a positive difference in the lives of those around them.”
In June, the students also had the opportunity to share their initiatives with Chatham-Kent Mayor Darren Canniff, who visited Blenheim to hear about the projects.
“I continue to be impressed by the power of this initiative as a witness to faith in action,” said St. Anne principal Tiffany Clarke. “I am deeply proud of our teachers for their leadership in guiding this meaningful work and of our Grade 8 students for the compassion, creativity, and generosity they demonstrate throughout the process. It is inspiring to see our students using their gifts and talents to serve others, strengthen their community, and make a positive difference in the lives of those around them.”
Highlighted Projects:
Meredith Lachine used her artistic talents to create and sell hand-painted watercolor greeting cards featuring floral and abstract designs. The proceeds were used to purchase $625 worth of essential items such as feminine products, socks, toilet paper, and hygiene supplies, which were donated to the R.O.C.K. Mission Centre to support individuals and families in need.
Scarlett Ford baked and sold more than 60 dozen chocolate chip cookies, raising an impressive $1,305 through sales and donations. Inspired by her grandfather’s recent lung transplant, she donated all proceeds to the Toronto Transplant Clinic to support patients and families receiving life-changing care.
Carter MacDonald and Nolan King used their baking skills to make and sell more than 215 homemade loaves of bread. Through bread sales and donations, they raised an impressive $1,195.50, which was donated to Special Olympics Chatham-Kent and the JoLynn Deprez Athletic Fund to support local athletes and community programs.
Blake Bogaert, Declan Glenn, Brady DeLyzer, Sutter Schaafsma and Cohen DeSchryver each used their $25 seed money along with community donations to support local families in need. They purchased and donated canned goods to the Blenheim Baptist Church and stocked the community food cabinet outside the Blenheim Youth Centre, with additional support generously provided by No Frills and community members.
Noah Blackburn sold chocolate-covered licorice, raising $450 for the Wounded Warriors Canada. Inspired by family members and others he knows who have served in the military, including his father, Noah chose to support veterans and help those recovering from the challenges of military service.
Other charities that received donations through the Kingdom Project include the Alzheimer Society of CK, PAWR, Free Health CK and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
This year many students chose to do something positive. Acts of kindness included giving ‘pay it forward’ gift cards to strangers, cleaning community trails, donating pet supplies, and much more!