Churchill Public School is charging out of the gates on its fundraising mission for Maison Vale Hospice.
Students and staff have already raised more than $50,000 for the hospice, and Monday marked the kickoff for this year's fundraising endeavours. The goal: $13,003 — one dollar more than last year.
“Maison Vale Hospice is a very special facility,” said Leslie Chisholm-Paul, an educational assistant at Churchill. "The hospice runs on donations from the community, with every penny staying in Sudbury. They are in need of everyone's help, so we at Churchill have decided for the fifth year in a row, to make a difference by raising as much money as we can for this amazing place and the incredible people who work there.
“The hospice motto, 'For what matters at the end of life is not so much to add days to life, but to add life to the remaining days,' has truly had a positive effect on our students and staff.”
Each year, Sudburians help raise funds for the hospice through the RBC Hike for Hospice. Churchill Public School hosts its own hike each year, where students walk from the school to the RBC branch on Lasalle Boulevard. It's part of their fundraising effort. Also adding to the coffers are various activities such as hotdog days, dress-up days and a volleyball tournament.
As well, on April 27, Boston Pizza will donate 10 per cent of all food sales between 5-8 p.m. to the hospice.
“This is amazing,” said Léo Thérrien, executive director of the Hospice, who joined Churchill students and staff for a pep rally Monday to kick off the fundraising efforts. “Every year, this school shows so much enthusiasm. For them, it's a celebration, and we love it.”
Churchill already has about $5,000 in the bank to put towards its goal, with hundreds of dollars more already promised.
