“In my observations, schools that engage with this initiative see significant growth in their students’ leadership abilities and community awareness” Tara Jones, a teacher and Ben Stelter School Fundraiser board member, remarks about the fundraiser’s impact.
This year, the Ben Stelter School Fundraiser has opened registration for the fall campaign early. Schools around the Edmonton area can sign up to participate in raising funds to establish a Proton Beam Therapy center, the first of its kind in Canada.
Before the fall fundraiser commences, the early registration program will help build momentum and increase the outreach of the fundraiser. The BSSF’s goal this year is to pass the 100-school mark.
Tara Jones, a teacher at George P Nicholson and member of the fundraiser’s advisory board, comments, “The BSSF allows student leaders to educate peers early on, and encourages the student body to give back; that can be built on all year long”.
From spring to fall, this program allows schools and students more preparation time to build their skills and bring their ideas to life.
As a benefit for registering early, schools will earn an extra ballot in the McDavid draw if they register before the deadline of July 1st. That ballot will give a school a greater chance to be picked in the draw and receive an exciting and memorable visit from Connor McDavid, the legendary Oilers captain. Students will get the chance to ask questions and hear him speak about his experiences.
While the McDavid assembly will be an unforgettable experience for all the young students involved, the fundraising process itself makes an equally important mark.
“In my observations, schools that engage with this initiative see significant growth in their students’ leadership abilities and community awareness”, Jones remarks about the fundraiser’s impact.
“Participating in the BSSF offers students and teachers many educational experiences that push well beyond traditional classroom boundaries”, she further stated.
It’s an extremely rewarding experience for the student leaders, an accomplishment they can look back on with pride.
The young leaders are supported both by their school and the BSSF’s internal team all the way along. In particular, each school is assigned a coordinator from the team so that the student leaders can reach out for any advice or resources they may need to lead a successful campaign.
Anandita Shah, Director of Operations for the Ben Stelter School Fundraiser, elaborated on the support schools get during their campaign: “We help [schools] successfully execute each of their events and overcome challenges in their paths”.
“During the fall fundraiser, students are encouraged to seek advice from us via online meetings”, Shah mentioned. “We offer templates for posters, announcements, emails, schoolzone posts, and more, as well as suggestions for planning to aid their fundraiser.” This comprehensive system ensures schools never feel lost or overwhelmed during their campaigns.
Overall, the BSSF fosters community spirit and leadership in students. The early registration program will offer schools more time to coordinate and plan for the fall fundraiser.
Find more information about the fundraising program and early registration on the BSSF’s website.
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