w w w .insidehalton.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, June 2 , 2 0 1 7 11 4 I think this project is particularly important for Grade 8. They are old enough to understand the issues, like hunger or child labour, that these organizations are dealing with. And it is such a full-of-yourself-year, especially with Instagram and Snapchat, and it's all `Look at me.' It is good for them to see what life is like for so many people and to see how lucky they a r e . ^ ^ Every week we showcase topics about local youths. SEND US YOUR NEWS: If you are a youth and you have a story or photo to share, we'll do our best to publish it on this page. Email it to ahlaekhum@oakvilleheaver. com, along with your name and a brief paragraph about why you want to share it with our readers. Marianne Delija Holy Family Catholic Elementary School Grade 8 teacher Students take their passions beyond the classroom by Abigail Cukier Special to the Beaver S mind. about. abrina Kidd didn't think a small class project could make much of a difference. But then, encouraged by her teacher and as part of an enthusiastic group of students, she changed her "It is really exciting. It is amazing knowing we are doing something to make a difference," said the Grade 8 student at Holy Family Catholic Elementary School. Sabrina and her classmates have been involved in projects to raise funds and awareness for charitable organizations they care This is the seventh year that teacher Marianne Delija has used W E Day in October as a kickoff for her students to start social justice projects. W E Day, held across Canada, the United States and United Kingdom, celebrates the power of young people to create positive change around the world. W E Day involves students raising money for W E projects and meeting in various cities one day a year for arena-size pep rallies. Delija' s students work in groups of four to five and choose an organization to support based on their passions. They must reach two fundraising goals throughout the year. The class raised more than $1,500 and 1,000 canned goods. "This has been a motivated, socially aware class," said Delija. Sabrina and her group held a volleyball tournament and pajama day to raise funds for UNICEF; which is a non-proht humanitarian organization focusing on saving children' s lives around the globe. "It makes us happy knowing we are helping kids who don't have as much as we do," she said. Sean Cole is a Royal Canadian Army Cadet, his dad is a Canadian Armed Forces Reserve and his grandfather was in the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom. So he was especially passionate about his group' s chosen organization, the Canadian Hero Fund. "W e want to give back to the men and women who protect us every day," said Sean. "This charity provides scholarships for the families of fallen soldiers." Everyone in Josh Vilim' s group has a pet so they chose to support the Oakville & Milton Humane Society through events including a dodgeball competition and a spirit day. "W e know how much work it can be to care for a pet and some animals don't even have the opportunity so we wanted to help out," said Josh, adding that the project has inspired him to do more to help animals. Emiliana Arrieche d'Empaire' s group held events including a bottle drive and custom Christmas ornament sale to support Canadian Feed the Children, which funds and helps local partners in Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda, Bolivia and in First Nations communities in Canada, helping to create long-term, sustainable food security and access to education. "W e are such a fortunate country with so much food. It is unfair other countries don't have that chance," she said. "And the charity does not only help people get food, but helps them sustain food, like teaching them how to build gardens, so they don't need help later in life. "It is fun to learn about other countries and how you are making an impact. It' s amazing how a small thing like a raffle for candy can affect people' s lives." From left to right back row: Sean Cole, Lucas Mindzak, Sam Butryn, Selena Pacheco-Rotolo, Natalia Kurek, Sabrina Kidd, Noah Scott, Daniel Hrubecky, Tafara Gwata, Julia Linhares, Josh Vilim, Liam Fraser, David Lata, Jack Arro, Miss Marianne Delija.Front row (sitting) from left to right: Ethan McDermott, Ciaran Mcloughlin, Emilija Beram, Paige McCann, Emiliana Arrieche d'Empaire. Absent: Adam Segre and Romina Vega Bravo. | submitted photo | HAXELL LAW Buying? Selling? Re-financing? C all us fo r a q u o t e a t Jam eson Glas D. K evin H axell A IR E O N E M A D N E S S S A L E ! H IG H E F F IC IE N C Y F U R N A C E & C E N T R A L A IR PACKAGE INCLUDES: >95.5 % High Efficiency Gas Furnace >High Efficiency Central Air R410A Refrigerant 10 Year Factory Warranty Limited Time Offer *Call for details 905-845-0767 ext. 222/223 f xliiSr.;1 PersonalProfessional Service at Com petitive Rates 1 2 7 6 C o rn w a ll R oad, U n it C, O a k v ille O n ta rio , L6J 7 W 5 T: 9 0 5 - 8 4 5 - 0 7 6 7 · F:9 0 5 -8 4 5 -5 5 5 2 · w w w . h a x e l l l a w . c o m · l a w y e r s @ h a x e l l l a w . c o m CENTRAL AIR OR FURNACE DIAGNOSTIC .SPECIAL www. CENTAL AIR OR FURNACE CLEANING BOOK YOURS TODAY! A IK E ONE.r»m HEATING & COOLING 9 LOCATiONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER OAKViLLE (905) 849-4998