The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Holy Family students realizing how lucky they are by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver 11 | Thursday, February 11, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Marianne Delija is teaching her students the importance of helping others and appreciating what they have. At the start of the school year, the Holy Family Catholic School Grade 8 teacher divided her class of 26 students into six groups to tackle social action projects as part of their curriculum. Based on interests or in support of a mutual cause or organization, students work together to achieve at least two fundraising goals by the end of the school year -- one by December 2015 and one by the end of April. As of Feb. 1, the class has collectively raised more than $2,100, surpassing its $2,000 objective. "The beauty of this project is that they can actually see how lucky they are, so they can see what people across the world do for water when they turn on a tap or they see what people do for food when their mom makes them a home-cooked meal," said Delija. "The best part about this project is helping people, but they're also helping themselves. They're realizing how lucky they are and they're realizing the importance of equality and that everybody should be treated fairly." For the fifth successive year, Holy Family is a We School -- it works closely with Free Pictured are some of the 26 Grade 8 students at Holy Family Catholic School, which has taken part in the last six We Days in Toronto, with two of the projects they've done so far this year. In front, from left are: Kristen Lis, Brooklyn Parro, Chloe D'Mello and Kaya Zawadzki with jars and handfuls of money collected (more than $1,000) from their `Splish Splash' water aid project fundraiser. In back, from left, Joseph Besana and Jazcel Balbastro two of the students with their `Camo Against Ammo' War Child project. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) the Children (FTC) and attends We Day in Toronto. The first group, Cause for Paws, is supporting the Oakville and Milton Humane Society (OMHS). Its stuffed animals/pajamas event in December raised $435 -- the most-ever during a spirit day at Holy Family, according to Delija -- exceeding its first goal of $200. The top three fundraising classes were treated to a Christmas-themed movie. The group plans on collecting more funds by selling hot chocolate, as well as seeking new and used animal supplies, in order to reach its final target of $600 by April. "We all have animals and we really care about animals. I foster a lot of kittens because my mom used to work at the humane society. I've been fostering kittens since I was in Grade 2," said Isabella Silbermayr, 13. Jacob Castillo, 13, wishes he could save every animal because many of them don't have homes, he said. "They don't have a level of family like we do. All animals should be fortunate to have owners," said Castillo. The second faction is Camo Against Ammo, which is raising funds for War Child Canada. The group held a spirit day where students paid $2 to wear green or camouflage clothing, fetching $243 for its charity. see Students on p.16 Why Do Oakville Families Trust Us with All Their Dental Needs? CosmetiC & Family Dentistry · implants invisalign · Dentures... From start to Finish! DIAMOND DIAMOND Voted Best Accountant by Oakville Beaver Readers for 9 Consecutive Years CROWN/DENTURE REPAIRS & RELINES, WHILE YOU WAIT Mon. - Fri. 9am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 1pm seniors DisCount Free Consultations New patients & ChilDren welcoMe OAKVILLE'S ONLY DENTAL OFFICE WITH A LAB ON PREMISES CPA, CA, MBA, B. Eng Ricky Wong W For more information please check our website www.rickywong.ca · Accounting · Auditing · Taxation 1200 Speers Rd., Unit 32, Oakville, Ont. L6L 2X4 (905) 845 - 1408 | Fax (905) 845 - 5931 2274 Lakeshore Rd. W. (at East Street) Oakville 905-827-2066 · www.brontedentist.com Visit YD.com today to enrol in one of our weekend or 4-day express courses. Oakville locations 345 Lakeshore Rd. East, Suite 312 180 Oak Park Blvd., Suite 107 YD.COM | (905) 842-6846 Dr. Michael Vo d.m.d · Kim Chung d.d. Because your life is on the line. #WeSaveLives