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Teacher’s colon cancer battle inspired successful ‘fun raiser’ at Poplar Ridge School
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By KIRSTEN PALARDY
SYLVAN LAKE NEWS |
Poplar Ridge school decided to do a “Fun Raiser” for their second year in a row, but didn’t know what to fundraise for until a cause was found close to home.
Grade 3 teacher Wayne Phillips was diagnosed with colon cancer and required treatment at Central Alberta Cancer Centre.
“We knew at the beginning of the year we wanted to do something again this year, so we started planning for the fun raiser right at the start of the year,” said Debbie Czainski, one of the organizers.
The fun raiser last year raised funds for the tsunami relief efforts.
“When everything came about with Mr. Phillips having been diagnosed with colon cancer we decided that this was just what we needed to do,” said Czainski.
Other staff members agreed that one of the most heartwarming facts about the funds raised is that they will stay local.
“100 per cent of the money we raise will be going to the Central Alberta Cancer Centre,” said Czainski.
Tuesday morning a cheque for $4,000 was presented to Phillips who is in the hospital.
“The fun raiser just started on Monday and goes until Thursday but we already had $4,000 to donate,” said Czainski.
The money raised came from what is called a “Passport to Fun.” Students were able to purchase privileges, as were the teachers.
Some of the privileges available to staff included free supervision or being able to wear jeans.
The students had an extensive list of things that they could “purchase”.
These items included being able to wear a hat or a jersey each for $2, being able to eat lunch on the staff room couch, $10, having lunch with a friend from another class, $2, and many others.
Baked goods and popcorn were also sold at the school to staff and students. Czainski said it has been remarkable to watch the staff take part.
“We needed baked goods every day and without really having to ask there they were. The staff provided most if not all of the baked goods,” said Czainski.
Along with being able to buy privileges, the students and staff were asked right from the start to support Phillips and join together as a school by wearing blue, the colour for colon cancer.
“We researched what colour goes with what cancers and dark blue was the colour for us. So we’ve encouraged the kids to wear blue in their hair, their clothing, and a lot of the staff are wearing ribbons too.”
Students at Poplar Ridge are between Kindergarten and Grade 6 and Czainski said most of them are old enough to understand why they’re fundraising.
“This community, this school, is very unique. It’s like we’re a family here.”
Czainski said because of the close-knit community there has been a history of people making donations just when they happened on their way past the school or picking up their child.
“When people hear about what’s going on they come on in and make donations.”
Everybody at the school, including every one of the 161 students, has had an opportunity to participate in some way whether it was monetary or wearing blue.
Czainski pointed out that 100 per cent of Mr. Phillips’ Grade 3 class has donated, dressed up and taken part in the fundraiser.
“The students in his class have a connection to him and when it’s this close to home people want to help out.”
Phillips has been at Poplar Ridge school for nearly 20 years and has made some close friends who are all rooting for him to get better.
Last year’s fun raiser raised $2,700 for the Tsunami so Czainski said it has been remarkable to watch the money rolling in, in support of somebody that the entire school knows and is close to.
No outside donations had been made at press time which Czainski said is a clear indicator of how dedicated the students, staff and parents are to helping Phillips.
“Every dollar raised so far has come from staff, students, and parents who just want to help out.”
The Fun Raiser ends today (Thursday) but donations can still be made in honour of Wayne Phillips’ fight against colon cancer directly to Central Alberta Cancer Centre. |
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