www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 9, 2008 - 27 Fundraising a growing concern for student By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Lots of people have their heads shaved to raise money, but at Iroquois Ridge High School, a student has been doing the opposite -- growing his beard to help build a school in a Third World country. Rukshan De Silva, a Grade 11 student at Iroquois Ridge, began his quest on New Year's Day. That's when he resolved to do something different. De Silva, who moved to Oakville from Sydney, Australia six years ago, decided to grow his beard for 100 days in hopes of raising $1,000 toward the school-building effort that will be done through the charity Free The Children. De Silva, who graduated as class valedictorian at Falgarwood Public School, is minister of records on this year's student council at Iroquois Ridge where the student council has raised approximately $23,000 toward the school-building goal. The council has been fundraising for three years for the overall $25,000 project, that would see a school built and stocked with supplies in a country of need yet to be determined. "We actually have $23,000 after our dance last week. Hopefully I can get to $2,000 from my beard so we can reach that goal. Also, when we build this school, we hope to make an ongoing relationship for the future by donating money each year to sponsor children to attend this school, paying for the teachers' salaries, and providing the school with whatever supplies they may need. This way it is not just a onetime thing but it will be a project our school can carry on for many, many years to come," said De Silva. De Silva has dubbed his own fundraising campaign in support of the cause, Growing Out for a Thousand Dollars. De Silva has been collecting pledges for his effort and has even set up a Facebook group with more than 200 members. There, De Silva uploads videos and photos taken every 10 days to show his progress. In his latest video, which marked Day 80, he began sticking pencils into his beard to see if they would stay, and got in six. Now that count is up to seven. "It's become quite normal for people at school to just come up to me and begin grooming my beard," laughed De Silva. "It has felt like a pretty long journey, but with less than 10 days to go, I'm on the homestretch at long last," said De Silva. With his beard grown out to just short of 5 cm, De Silva has already achieved his $1,000 goal, but says there's no way he's stopping now. "Lots of my friends are waiting until the last couple of days to make their pledges, just so they know for sure that I ended up keeping my promise of growing my beard for the full 100-day period," he said. "As for plans to shave it off, I'll probably be doing that in the cafeteria at lunch on Thursday, April 10 (Day 101) and let other people snip it off with scissors first, until it's short enough for me to get that nice clean shave that I've been desperately longing for over three months now. I can tell you one thing though, after these 100 days are up, you will never see my face with facial hair ever again," he said. Anyone who'd like to make a donation to De Silva's cause can reach him at 905-257-7788 or by e-mail at rukshan.desilva@hotmail.com. BEARD TO BUILD: Iroquois Ridge student Rukshan De Silva is growing a beard for 100 days in hopes of raising $1,000 to build a school in a Third World country. The school's student council has raised $23,000 and is closing in on its goal of $25,000. Undertake your continuing teacher education with one of Australia's leading universities... in Ontario. · Special Education, Part 1 · French as a Second Language, Part 1* *Subject to final approval from OCT. · Intermediate Basic English, Geography, History, Math, Science General, Visual Arts F For further information about the AQ courses and how to apply, visit our website at www.charlessturt.ca A Applications close May 9. KEEPING SENIORS INFORMED APRIL EVENTS Six Banks. Six Beds. One great cause. From April 2 - May 3, 2008 six banks are working together to raise funds for new hospital beds for the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. · Visit your local bank branch or www.bankbedchallenge.com before May 3, 2008, to donate and make a difference in the health of our community! · Show your support by coming out on Race Day, Sunday, May 4, starting at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Lakeshore Road & Navy Street. Bank Bed Challenge APRIL 21 Royal Botanical Workshop 2:00pm APRIL 23 Travelogue and Slide Show on Holland 2:15pm APRIL 24 Seminar on Fall Prevention 2:30pm Delmanor Glen Abbey is Oakville's premier retirement residence for active adults. We emphasize independence and individuality in a community environment that promotes an active mind and a sound body. In short, we believe in LivingWell and we'd like you to join us. If you would like to join us at one of these events or to book a tour, just call Margaret Milley 905-469-3232. Proud recipient of the 2006/2007 Oakville Beaver Readers Choice Award for Retirement Community TM 1459 Nottinghill Gate just south of Upper Middle, west of Dorval, Oakville 905.469.3232 More info: www.bankbedchallenge.com www.delmanor.com GREY 15431 CRICOS Provider Number: 00 Charles Sturt University's Faculty of Education will be offering the following Additional Qual courses at the Burlington campus during the Spring Intercession Term, May 26 June 20, 2008: