Toonie Challenge raises $8,848 and counting!
Eleven schools participated in this year’s McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation Toonie Challenge, an annual event that engages students and their schools in an active relationship with the MUHC and raises funds for the hospital’s greatest needs.
Students gather around Popi Kasvis, a clinical nutritionist from the MUHC, at the Nutrition kiosk, one of many on hand at the third annual Toonie Challenge results announcement hosted by Selwyn House on March 27. Twelve Montreal area schools raised $8,848 for the MUHC Foundation and the Friends of the MUHC for vital equipment purchases.
At the heart of the event’s success is the students’ desire to help patients and their families. “I felt proud that we did something to help people less fortunate who have health problems,” stated William Sebag, a Grade 6 student at Selwyn House School. Classmate Malcolm Nesbitt said it felt good to participate, knowing that the money was going to a good cause. “I knew it would help someone not as healthy as me.”
This year’s amount brings the three-year fundraising total to $32,900, or 16,450 toonies. The long-term goal is to raise $138,000 or 69,000 toonies – enough to circle the entire MUHC Glen site if placed end-to-end. With two schools yet to hold their fundraising events, the amount raised to date is certain to climb.
Selwyn House hosts fellow schools for announcement
This year’s results were announced on March 27 at Selwyn House School and Nicole Small and Andrea Howick, co-chairs of the Toonie Challenge, served as emcees. Dr. Nadia Giannetti, chief of Cardiology at the MUHC, also took time out of her busy schedule to speak to the student delegations.
“Fundamentally in any healthy society, we want all schools to let the community in, and to be in the community,” explained David Grier, a science teacher at Selwyn House School. When asked why Selwyn House jumped at the chance to host the event, the answer was simple. “It’s about the idea of having love for the place you live in, and the need to keep promoting connectedness to our community,” he said.
Students from some of the 12 schools that participated in the third annual Toonie Challenge help present a cheque for $8,848 to Lesley Reford (left) and Beth Marchant, board members of Friends of the MUHC.
Following the announcement, the students visited over a dozen interactive kiosks featuring various departments and medical disciplines. On hand were representatives from: Cardiology; Deceased Organ and Tissue Donation; Environment and Sustainability; the MUHC Art & Heritage Centre; Neurology; Pediatric Dentistry; Psychology and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy; Psychiatry; the Research Institute of the MUHC; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Trauma Prevention; Volunteer Services; as well as Nutrition and Orthopedics.
“For me it was a no brainer to get involved,” stated Kathleen Usher, a science teacher at Willingdon School, the first public school to become involved last year. Ms. Usher said she has incorporated the fundraising initiative into the curriculum in order to promote the importance of science in health care. “What I’m seeing here is a total awakening about the wonders of science. The students get to meet real researchers and scientists and can then share this excitement with the rest of the school. I’m so grateful to the MUHC for hosting this and to the organizers for being so supportive and encouraging.”
Her students agreed, and were particularly proud to know that their fundraising efforts would go towards helping others. “The best part was knowing that when I was helping collect toonies, I was helping strangers, not just my friends,” explained Adele Doyle, a Grade 5 Willingdon student. “I think all of the classes that contributed really cared.”
Participating schools included: ECS (Miss Edgar’s & Miss Cramp’s School); LCC (Lower Canada College); Sacred Heart; Selwyn House; St-George’s Elementary School; The Priory; The Study; Trafalgar; Vanguard; West Island College; and Willingdon School.
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About the Toonie Challenge
The goal of the Toonie Challenge is for students in Montreal to collect toonies to raise awareness of the needs of the hospital, and to engage students and their schools in an active relationship with the MUHC. All funds raised will go towards vital equipment purchases and the hospital’s greatest needs.
Contact Sandra Sciangula
(Cell) 514 293-2575
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