A Richmond class is hosting a fundraiser to help benefit kids battling cancer while learning about financial literacy in the classroom.
A Grade 6/7 split class at Henry Anderson elementary is selling a variety of handmade crafts to raise money for the West Coast Kids Cancer Foundation.
The funds will be used to buy pajamas for families in the oncology wards at Children’s Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital.
Julie Wilson, a teacher at Henry Anderson Elementary School, said her students have raised $403 of their $2,000 goal selling fair-trade items from Africa that were donated to their school for the cause.
However, they are most likely unable to reach their target by their deadline of Nov. 26, said Wilson.
“It’s a neat experience and it's nice if they (the students) reach their target, but at this point, it’s about learning about problem-solving skills and how money works.”
She added that financial literacy is on the curriculum, but there is “nothing like learning with hands-on experience.”
Wilson’s students were divided into three groups – marketing, finance and order fulfilment – and were tasked with roles according to their groups.
In order to keep their classmates and the community safe, the students also created an online order form for their fundraiser instead of hosting an in-person booth.
“It’s amazing to see the knowledge development in them. They are learning to help others … think of each other’s safety, while learning how the aspect of money works,” said Wilson.
“They even suggested using a test system by having their parents be their first clients to see if their ordering system works, and it blows my mind to see them put this all together.”
Meanwhile, Wilson told the Richmond News that she is not letting her students’ hard work go to waste.
“Concurrently, I have launched my own personal winter fundraiser with lots of holiday handmade merchandise, and since I have this website up and running I thought I’d give my students a bit of a push,” she said.
Wilson uploaded her students’ order form and a list of items they are selling, in a separate section, to her fundraiser page, which will be available until Dec. 11.
“I’m hoping that my students fundraise more than me. It’s for a good cause and I’m super proud of what they have achieved so far.
For more information and the fundraiser list, visit bit.ly/jnm-fundraiser.
