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Mother Teresa School raised $1,600 for Philippines typhoon relief

Fundraising by students, staff and parents of École Mother Teresa School resulted in $1,600 being raised for relief efforts
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École Mother Teresa School students and staff raised money for typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines by paying for the right to wear either a hat or pyjama bottoms for the entire week last week. Sporting their gear as they headed into the school on Friday were Dakota Derksen

Fundraising by students, staff and parents of École Mother Teresa School resulted in $1,600 being raised for relief efforts in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, which recently devastated the Philippines and affected other parts of Asia.

By making a donation, students paid for the right to wear either a hat or pyjama bottoms to school for the entire week last week.

A $5 donation allowed them to wear one of the two items, while $10 allowed them to wear both.

Principal Dorice Swensrude was thrilled with the amount of money raised for such a worthy cause.

Making a difference is this year’s school theme, and Swensrude feels the support shown by everyone involved in the fundraising is indicative of the school’s commitment to that mandate.

Some students donated more money than was required, she said. One donated $60 from personal savings.

Several Filipino students attend the school, and during a kick-off event for the fundraiser, told classmates how people in their home country were affected by the disaster.

The money raised will be given to the Catholic charitable organization, Development and Peace, whose funds raised for the cause will be matched by the Canadian government. For that reason, $3,200 will be donated to relief efforts because of the school’s fundraising.

Although students are no longer able to wear pyjama bottoms and hats to school, donations for the Philippines will be accepted for several more weeks.

The school must submit all money raised by Dec. 23 in order to qualify for the matching program.

Parents wishing to send donations to school with their children may do so until that deadline.