From left, three members of the Mother's Love team with Hjorth Road Elementary principal Lisa Chambers and outreach worker Manjot Badesha donating winter jackets for students. Hjorth Road Elementary is one of many Surrey schools participating in this year's Vancouver Sun Adopt-A-School program that supports families in need.
Hjorth Road Elementary has joined the Vancouver Sun's Adopt-A-School campaign, seeking $2,500 for grocery gift cards for families in need.
The program raises money to feed and clothe students in need across the Lower Mainland. Hjorth Road is a designated high needs inner city school, and one of nine schools in the district participating in the Adopt-A-School program. Hjorth Road has just under 300 students, approximately one-third of whom come from low-income families.
"We have many refugee families here, many families who do not speak English who we try to help get settled into the community," said principal Lisa Chambers. "Many of our students come to school with T-shirts and hoodies but they don't really have warm winter jackets or raincoats, they might have one pair of shoes and oftentimes we're noticing they can't be outside with running shoes that have tears along the sole."
Chambers said the school was selected after the district's Business Development department recognized the hard work and outreach that staff have done to support families through initiatives such as their lunch program, which is used by more than 75% of students. The school also distributes donations from groups such as Relate Church and the Mother's Love team to families in need.
"We try our best in-house to provide clothing, we're always accepting donations to help provide the outerwear for kids and their boots," she said. "We've been lucky to receive scarves and toques and mittens from other church groups as well, and that's something that we always need in the colder months."
According to Chambers, one of the biggest needs is food, which is why the school is asking for $2,500 for gift cards for groceries. While the school meal programs help, she said she hopes these donations can do more for students and their families at home when putting food on the table is a challenge.
"The needs are just so high, and if we can at least help them with their groceries, they can focus on rent," she said.
Chambers said it means a lot to have the support of initiatives like the Adopt-A-School campaign and from community organizations and individual donors. Without their generosity, she said none of this would be possible for Hjorth Road Elementary.
"It warms my heart exponentially," said Chambers. "It takes a village, and our village at Hjorth is just phenomenal. It's just so heartwarming to know we have all these people looking out for us.
"All of these opportunities for us give our families the chance to feel heard, supported and valued as members of our community, and I think they feel connected through this process."
To donate towards Hjorth Road Elementary's emergency fund in the Adopt-A-School program, click here.
Other Surrey schools in the Adopt-A-School program (click on links to donate):
Elementary
- Mary Jane Shannon Elementary
- Old Yale Road Elementary
- Prince Charles Elementary
- Royal Heights Elementary
Secondary
- L.A. Matheson Secondary
- Princess Margaret Secondary
- Queen Elizabeth Secondary (and the Q.E. night school)
- Tamanawis Secondary
Departments
- Safe Schools / Wrap Around
- Welcome Centre
