It doesn’t take a genius to notice that the world has problems, but it certainly takes a great amount of strength and personal will to band together and make a difference.
Precisely what Edward Milne Community School leadership students Hope Millard, Hailey Dimock and Andrea Van Dyck, will try and do in the coming weeks as part of their latest initiative: the 10,000 Tonight Food Drive.
The trio, along with their leadership teacher, Todd Powell, will join both Belmont and Royal Bay secondary schools to each collect 10,000 or more non-perishable food items in one night, from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 2. EMCS will then donate everything to the Sooke Food Bank that same night.
Anytime within that week, people can still bring food in – after all, every bit helps.
Given EMCS’s smaller size, it’ll still be a challenge for the team, but everyone is confident that Sooke’s big heart will come shining through.
“There are a lot of families who go without Christmas, so it’s nice to know that we’re doing something positive,” Hope Millard said. “Since we’re such a small community, it’s cool, because you’re truly working with your neighbours and helping everyone out, which is super special.”
Around 30 tables will be set up in the school foyer, and each classroom will receive a donation box – first class to fill the box up the most get treated with a delicious pizza lunch.
“We want to make this event as big as we can possibly make it, start it with a bang so then we have that to live up to,” Powell said, who maintains a leadership class of around 65 students.
Biggest challenge so far is to get the word out, given that EMCS has only 700 students and is situated in a smaller community than the other two.
Millard, Dimock and Van Dyck suggested that since there’s not as many kids or parents to get it out to, their first push will be to break past that barrier and get it to the people who don’t even have kids in the school.
The spirit is strong with this leadership team though, and given the challenges, they’re feeling pretty good about it.
“It’s a good club for the soul, because it helps everybody. We’ve got lots of work to do, but really, it’s not a lot out of our day to help other people,” Dimock said.
“It’s really easy to just drop off some cans, no one’s asking for the moon, just do what you can,” added Millard.
With many hands on deck needed to make it all happen, Powell noted that volunteers – drivers in particular – are most welcome to join and help out.
He also pointed towards notable local politicians, Juan de Fuca MLA John Horgan and re-elected MP Randall Garrison to get involved.
“If you want to be involved, please get involved, the more the merrier,” Powell said.
Anyone who wants to get involved and volunteer can send an email to emcs.tentonight@gmail.com or contact EMCS by phone at 250-642-5211.