Kerrisdale Elementary raises $3,000
In keeping with a Christmas tradition, Allison Phillips has no idea what her daughter Evie bought for her.
“It’s a big surprise,” Phillips said. “We’re not allowed to know.”
Evie, 8, was one of numerous students at Kerrisdale Elementary School who went Christmas shopping for The Province Empty Stocking Fund on Dec. 8. Her mom was one of three coordinators of the annual fundraiser, with Jackie Brasso and Mabel Lee from the parent advisory committee.
Families donate all the items to the fundraiser. The way it works is that the students aged five to eight in kindergarten to Grade 4 are brought in class by class to the gym to do their Christmas shopping.
Each primary student is accompanied by an older student in Grade 7. The older students are called Big Buddies. They help the younger ones orient themselves so they don’t get lost or overwhelmed, Phillips said.
It’s not a free-for-all but an organized day of shopping.
“They come in with a list of everyone they’re buying for so they know what to buy,” Phillips said.
Students buy gifts for their parents, siblings, grandparents and other significant people in their lives. After they’ve finished shopping, they go back to their classrooms and wrap their gifts.
Students buy items that include hockey memorabilia and ties for dad and necklaces and rings for mom. Books are $1 and everything else $2.
Santa Claus visits while the young students are shopping.
This year, the loonies and toonies added up to $3,000 for the Empty Stocking Fund.
“Honestly, it’s amazing,” Phillips said.
“The school makes a massive effort every year. It’s a lot of fun. We had a great time.”
Last year, more than $270,000 was donated to the Empty Stocking Fund by people from all around the province. The fund, administered by United Way, is now in its 99th year. The campaign continues through to Jan. 15, 2018.