Catholic high school students across Red Deer are aiming to make a difference as their high school careers wind down.
Even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact everyday life, graduating students at École Secondaire Notre Dame High School and St. Joseph High School selected charities to fundraise for this year.
At Notre Dame, graduating students are aiming to raise $40,000 for the Smiles Thru Lindsay Foundation. The foundation was started in 2015 in honour of Lindsay More, who took her own life at the age of 22. Funds raised through the foundation help youth who are dealing with mental health issues.
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“Our annual Grad Service project allows our students the incredible opportunity to make a lasting difference in our community,” said Principal, Rose McQuay at École Secondaire Notre Dame High School.
“This year’s charity is extra special to us as Lindsey was part of this team herself as a graduate of Notre Dame. Our students want to honour her memory by not only raising money, but also awareness around the stigma of mental health.”
At St. Joseph, the students have selected Catholic Social Services as their charity of choice.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Catholic Social Services has helped twice as many people in the first six months of 2020 as they did in all of 2019.
“The St. Zita Program is a multifaceted program that seeks to assist a variety of needs, ranging from mental illness, homelessness, domestic abuse, to those negatively impacted by COVID-19,” said Event Coordinator, Ashley Visscher at St. Joseph High School.
“This year, more than ever, our graduating class is hoping to make a difference through their fundraising and awareness efforts.”
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