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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, February 11, 2016 | 12 Students go above and beyond for humane society by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Joshua Creek Public School (JCPS) students recently raised more than $1,000 in support of local pets in need of a home. The Oakville school's Me to We Social Justice Club organized a Nickel, Dime and Canadian Tire Money Drive -- Pause for Paws and Claws -- during January in support of the Oakville and Milton Humane Society (OMHS). The goal was to have each student donate $1 in hopes of raising $1,000 -- but the total raised exceeded expectations at $1,210.30. "I am so thrilled our community was able to come together to raise so much money to help animals in need," said JCPS teacher Jaime Robinson. "Many students went way above the $1-per-student goal to raise $1,000, and had big smiles on their faces when they gave the money to us. Some individual students donated up to $50 of their allowance money to the cause. We also had some large donations by teachers." This year, the JCPS Me to We Club was composed of approximately 50 The Joshua Creek Public school Me to We Social Justice Club has been doing a Nickel, Dime and Canadian Tire fundraiser for the Oakville and Milton Humane Society (OMHS) called Pause for Paws and Claws, raising $1,210. Here, Grade 5-8 students who helped raise the money are pictured in front of their project displayed on the wall behind them. | photo by Justin Greaves ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) students from Grades 5-8. Over the last few years, the club has done various fundraisers to raise money and awareness for both local, and international organizations, including: a bake sale for Free the Children in China; Rafiki Chains to help supply water and school supplies to 216 children in need; a Salvation Army Food Drive; a We are Silent Day to fight for basic human rights for everyone; and volunteering at the Toronto Furniture Bank, which transfers gently-used furniture donations to those in need. This time, the club decided to help local animals and organized an OMHS representative to come to the school with a Golden Retriever to provide information on how funds benefit the Oakville animal shelter. "The overall reaction from the Me to We club members was that of sheer happiness," said Robinson. "They enjoyed having the opportunity to do something to help local animals. One student said, `It was great to help them because they need food and treats too. Sometimes, we all need a little help.'" JCPS teacher Kelly Kazarian said it was rewarding to see students actively involved by counting and rolling the donated change each week. "Their anticipation and excitement of knowing how much we were collecting could be felt in the room," she said. "We are so thankful we are able to provide opportunities for students to learn about injustices in the world, both locally, and internationally, and take action to make a difference and pay it forward." O Thursdays 1:00 ­ 6:30 pm P E Saturdays 10:30 am ­ 1:30 pm N Sundays 10:00 am ­ 12:00 pm For more news, visit www.oakvillebeaver.com looking after your home while you are away · Did you know your insurance policy may not cover water damage if your home is not regularly inspected? · We will inspect and take care of your home while you are away · Contact us for a customized quote JANET'S AT HOME www.janetsathome.ca · (905) 484-0732 · janet@janetsathome.ca Homemade Ukrainian Food terrace take-away all prepared and easy to warm up 905.337.1400 ext. 116 cafe@sjucc.ca www.terracetakeaway.ca St. Joseph's Ukrainian Catholic Church 300 River Oaks Blvd. East (at Trafalgar) Oakville ON It's what's inside that counts. 1011 Upper Middle iddle Road East East, Oakville · 289-291-0147 www.walkerschocolates.ca