Earth Day Story – LGMS Students Raise Funds for the Environment
by Nick de Ruyter, WildSmart Program Director at the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley (BIBV)
From left to right: Maya, Zoe, Abigail, Nick & Hadley
Each year on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day. In recognition of the efforts that people of all ages are making to care for this place we call home, I wanted to share this amazing story of some young folks who wanted to do their part in protecting the planet.
I recently met up with an amazing group of four 10 & 11-year-old girls from Canmore who are currently in Grade 5 at Lawrence Grassi Middle School. The girls have a genuine concern about climate change and a keen interest in the natural world. They all spend a lot of time outdoors and wanted to do something to protect the planet, while also showing that kids can make a difference.
Given this background, they decided to organize their own fundraising event at Riverside Park in March 2021. Their idea was to sell home made bracelets, bookmarks, soap, wood cookies, some books and other small handmade items, with all of the proceeds going to BIBV.
Among the items they sold were handmade bracelets, bookmarks, soap, wood cookies, books and other small items.
Examples of some of the home made wood cookies!
They made posters and their parents helped them get things organized. The girls met with BIBV staff ahead of their fundraiser so that they would have a better understanding of the work that their fundraising would support. On the chosen day, the girls set up a table at Riverside Park to sell their items. Their customers were friends and family, community members and visitors. Altogether they raised an incredible $183 to support our organization’s climate initiatives.
Pictured from Left to Right: Zoe, Hadley, Maya & Abigail
The girls hard at work at the fundraiser
Following their successful fundraiser, they planned to host more sales and events, but alas, the pandemic and life made things busy for them and they only sold a few more items after their initial sale. That being said, they have recently reignited their commitment to ongoing fundraising efforts and have plans for more events down the road. These incredible young ladies would like to continue to raise more money and want to get involved as volunteers to help the cause.
It is so inspiring to see young people show such passion, commitment and enthusiasm to help make a difference. Their efforts did not go unnoticed; perhaps if every person young and old transformed their care and concern for the environment into action in this way, the future of our planet would be less bleak? Hopefully their story will help inspire others in the Bow Valley and beyond to do the same!
Now let’s hear from these amazing students…
“I made wood cookies with designs on them. My dad helped me cut up a fallen tree branch into discs, then I used a wood burner to make designs on the discs. I wanted to fundraise for Biosphere because I care about the planet.”
“I made soap because it’s fun and easy to make (and let’s be honest, it’s pretty useful during a pandemic). I was surprised how much money we were able to raise. I wanted to raise money because I care about our future and our planet.”
“I sewed pencil holders and made perler bead coasters and decorations. I also sold some of my books and toys. I wanted to raise funds because the Earth is important and we know that climate change is affecting a lot of places, people, plants, and animals … (basically everything).”
“I made bookmarks because I have a lot of string and I like reading. Bookmarks are also fun to make. We wanted to raise money to help the earth. We know about climate change and we wanted to do something for our future.”
A close-up of the donation cheque the students made!