Students at Iroquois Public School picked up some mighty fine bargains, not to mention some very special gifts for their moms and dads and sisters and brothers last week.
Friday marked the school’s annual White Elephant Sale when students are given the opportunity to complete their Christmas shopping from tables heaped with great gift selections.
Organized by the school’s student council under prime minister Alyssa Grant, this year’s sale raised $444.69 for the Iroquois/Matilda Lions Club. Last year, the students raised $373 for the Lions.
“The students are giving back to the community through the Lions,” said council advisor (and IPS teacher) Margaret Phifer. “This is a perfect way for the little ones to do their Christmas shopping, and a wonderful way for the school to say thank you to the community, because the community is so wonderful to us.”
“This year we added gift wrapping and that is a big hit.”
The sale is made possible thanks to the generosity of the school family as the sale items are all donated by the students and their families. Even the wrapping paper was donated.
Representing the Lions club was Jim Mustard who after taking a turn at the wrapping table, thanked everyone at the school.
“This is really appreciated,” said Mustard. “And it shows the respect the kids have for the Lions club. Many of the children have benefitted from a contribution from the Lions.”
Mustard pointed out the Lions keep very busy in the community. Several are preparing to hit the stage next spring for their bi-annual theatre production. Next October they will celebrate the 65th anniversary of their charter with a gala banquet.
Also marking their community involvement at the day’s sale were six Stock Transportation employees who were manning the sales tables, helping the children and wrapping the gifts.
Stock Transportation Ltd. at Iroquois has 51 routes in the Upper Canada District School Board, 10 of those at IPS.
“We have four of our drivers here today plus my safety manager,” said Stock general manager Janet McKinnon. “They are all loving it. It is so rewarding to give back to the community. And being drivers, they obviously love kids.”
McKinnon explained that the business, with locations across Ontario and in several other Canadian provinces, has launched a corporate initiative that each location adopts a school for a year. “This is a really great initiative,” said McKinnon.
“They approached us and asked us if they could come in and help out at the school,” said IPS principal Kelty Grant of the Stock initiative. “Some have been mentoring students while others come in and read to the kids. They spend one on one time with the children. Today they are here helping us with the White Elephant Sale.”
“Anything we ask, they come in and do it. They are excellent.”
“It’s all about the kids, being part of the community and doing what we can to help out,” said McKinnon.
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