École secondaire catholique Champlain's 9th annual Homeless for a Night activity which took place October 4-5, was a great success. The determination of the 119 participating students and school staff, paired with the community's generosity, led to a grand total of $5,270 raised and ten large boxes of non perishable food items collected for the Chelmsford Food Bank.
This annual ÉSC Champlain initiative raises student awareness about homelessness. Each year, student participants build a shelter in the Chelmsford Metro parking lot, using nothing but cardboard boxes and tarps. The activity also serves as a fundraiser to help families in need. Community members are invited to stop by for a visit and donate dollars or non-perishable food items.
"The support we received from the community this year was unbelievable," stated ESC Champlain teacher Carole Bradley-Whissel. "We even got a special visit from volunteer firefighters, who came to donate and chat with our students. It was really touching to see how the community rallied behind us to help families in need."
The monetary donations will be used to purchase winter clothing for the less fortunate in the community, as well as items for the Sudbury Infant Food Bank and the Chelmsford Food Bank, who will also accept the food donations. In addition, a monetary donation will be given to the Sudbury Soup Kitchen, where ÉSC Champlain students volunteer once a month.
