Giving back to celebrate 150
LCI student opts to assist her old elementary school
ALethbridge studentathlete who was selected to participate in a Canada 150 community program sponsored by RBC has chosen to give back to her old elementary school.
Jordan Calladine, who is graduating from Lethbridge Collegiate Institute and will study nursing and play varsity rugby for the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns next season, donated the $150 she received through the “Make 150 Count” program to Dr. Gerald B. Probe Elementary.
“I am making my $150 count by giving it to my old elementary school (Dr. Gerald B. Probe Elementary) to use towards their annual One School, One Book project,” Calladine told the “Make 150 Count” campaign. “I love the idea behind the project, how it unites the school and children, while also providing the children with excellent sources of literature. I believe that reading not only benefits society in general, but for young children as well, as it gets their brain thinking and working in ways that are different than being constantly surrounded by electronics.”
Calladine, who has suited up on the rugby pitch for U18 Team Alberta, U18 Prairie Wolfpack and U18 Team Canada, was selected for “Make 150 Count” participation for her leadership at LCI and in the community.
The campaign “celebrates Canada’s 150th by giving young people $150, no strings attached, and the chance to do good in their communities in their own unique way (kind of like a national, pay-it-forward social experiment),” said Brian Findlay of Stellick Marketing Communications in an email to The Herald.
The program selects young people to participate (selected either through local RBC branches and the ties these branches have to community stakeholders, or from ideas submitted through social media, using the hashtag #Make150Count). Overall, more than 1,000 young people (25 and under) across the country are being selected for the opportunity.
“While reviewing submissions I came across Jordan’s and thought it was a great example of how thoughtful young people are being with this opportunity,” Findlay noted.
In addition to a specially selected book read out loud, the school program Calladine is supporting sees participating schools embrace a month of One School, One Book activities, which are designed to enhance each school day and enrich the students’ homes during the month they spend with the book. One School, One Book programs are refined, modified and tailored to fit each school’s environment, needs and capabilities.
The program is built on the belief that reading a book together brings the added joy of building and expanding a sense of community among students, parents, teachers, and staff — and beyond.
In some schools, bus drivers and custodial and cafeteria staff even clamour to be included.
“The One School, One Book project made me fall in love with literature at a young age and I hope that by helping purchase new books, I can help another child falling in love with reading like I did,” added Calladine. “To me this would mean I’ve really made 150 count in Lethbridge.”