In an effort to assist the victims of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Rochelle Larivière, a Grade 12 student at École secondaire du Sacré-Coeur (Sudbury), organized an in-school sale of perogies every Friday during the month of April.
Although not of Ukrainian descent, Larivière was touched and influenced by members of Sudbury’s Ukrainian community.
Having learned to master the steps of Ukrainian dances over the years, this student created strong bonds of friendship with citizens of Ukrainian origin who motivated her to want to make a difference.
Through Larivière’s initiative, the Griffons from ÉS du Sacré-Coeur were successful in raising the sum of $1,310, which was donated to the Canadian Red Cross’ Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis Fund.
To support Larivière in this student initiative, Suzanne Carr, the school's cook, volunteered to prepare this delicious Ukrainian dish.
This mutual aid effort complements other actions taken in the school.
For example, on April 29, Sacré-Coeur students and staff honored their brothers and sisters from Ukraine by wearing blue and yellow clothing. In addition, staff members and students took a few minutes in the morning to write a message of solidarity on small Ukrainian flags that were afterwards displayed in the shape of heart in the school’s atrium.
“Rochelle and her fellow school mates were successful in supporting the victims in Ukraine,” said Suzanne Lapointe, École secondaire du Sacré-Coeur principal.
“This effort raised awareness among students and allowed them to realize that they can make a difference at a local level while supporting the victims in a conflict that is touching the lives of many in Eastern Europe. Such actions prove that our students are truly citizens of the world.”
