MOUNT FOREST – For more than 20 years, the Grade 12 business leadership class at Wellington Heights Secondary School (WHSS) in Mount Forest has championed the school’s Warm Winter Wishes charity initiative.
Through the annual campaign, students have raised money to support local elementary and secondary students, and their families, who are in need.
This has been achieved through school events and fundraisers, awareness campaigns and corporate donations.
Collaboration
Retired WHSS business teacher Barb Cowen came up with the Warm Winter Wishes idea, and over the years raised tens of thousands of dollars with her students through this experiential learning opportunity.
This year, WHSS teacher Emily Lubbers has continued the tradition as the current teacher of the business leadership class.
On top of this, a school-wide committee – including representation from the business leadership class, student council, athletic council, the staff association and administration – works alongside the business leadership class to support the many school-wide fundraising initiatives that are undertaken at Wellington Heights.
In addition to sharing the workload, these groups collaboratively decide on the distribution of funds and food to all local elementary schools and food banks respectively.
This year, the school has coordinated a variety of fundraising initiatives that began with the annual Chili Cook Off on Oct. 17. There were 146 bowls of chili served to students and staff on that day, and teacher Jen Cork was crowned as the 2024 Chili Cook Off champion.
Other fundraisers include snack sales, corporate donations, silent auctions, a student/staff hockey game buyout, Krispy Kreme donut sales, teacher dare contest, lunch sales, dodgeball tournament and the Night At The Heights evening event this week (Dec. 10).
Fund distribution
Wellington Heights has already sent out cheques to each of the seven local elementary schools, and money will also be dedicated to financially at-risk students at the high school.
Each school will provide gift cards from local businesses to students in need, which ensures money raised stays within the community to benefit the local economy, and that students have a choice on the gifts and holiday food that they purchase.
Money is also disbursed at various times throughout the year to students, and not just during the holiday season, as officials acknowledge that there are many students and families in need of food and clothing throughout the school year and during the summer months.
“Local businesses, community organizations, and municipal government have all been very supportive of our Warm Winter Wishes initiative over the years, and Wellington Heights is grateful for the ongoing financial and moral support,” school officials stated in a press release.
The school also encourages students and their families to connect with the other local organizations that can offer more comprehensive assistance and support, such as the Christmas Bureau and the food banks in Arthur and Mount Forest.
Anyone interested in making a donation to this year’s Warm Winter Wishes campaign can do so by clicking on the Warm Winter Wishes posting at ugdsb.schoolcashonline.com/Fee/Details/93259/64/False/True.
Prospective donors can also reach out to Lubbers at emily.lubbers@ugdsb.on.ca or to principal Brent Bloch by phone at 519-323-3430 ext. 223 or by email at brent.bloch@ugdsb.on.ca.
