By Justine Kelsie

Grande Prairie students raise money for Sunrise House

Dec 22, 2017 | 6:00 PM

Eight grade ten classes at a Grande Prairie high school pitched in this holiday season to present a cheque to a local emergency youth shelter. 

The students at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School were able to collect $1,500 through a quarter collection fundraiser that was a week long. 

“We did something called ‘quarter wars’ where jars were placed in each of the grade 10 classrooms. Students were free to donate money throughout the course of the week,” said Mara Schoorlemmer, one of the students in the class that spearheaded the initiative. 

Schoorlemmer felt like it was a great initiative because the money will help people that are her age. 

“I’m happy that I got the opportunity to do it. I hope people can hear [about] this and be encouraged to help out as well.” 

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On top of the cash that was raked in, one of the classes was able to collect hygiene products to be donated simultaneously. The donations were delivered on Thursday, December 21 to the Sunrise House. 

The 24-hour shelter provides a family support program and Steps to Success program. The family support program offers services and referral to families in crisis or experiencing conflict. The latter provides access to life skills development and learning new skills to help increase coping skills making them more resistant to crisis. In addition to the two programs, they also provide emergency shelter for youth between the ages of 12 and 17, 24 hour a day Youth Support Workers, as well as a warm meal, shower, and clothing. A list of items the shelter is in need of is available on the organization’s website.