Pencils and paper aren't the only things Stock the Lockers fundraising money buys, says a Nanaimo principal – it goes to towards workboots and safety goggles too.
Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation's annual campaign – collecting money and supplies for vulnerable students in Nanaimo school district – begins today (Aug. 11) and Derek Beeston, district principal of Career Pathways and Learning Alternatives, says the money also helps all manner of students.
The district, together with Vancouver Island University, have a dual credit partnership, where students receive high school and first year university credit and while tuition is covered by the program, books and safety equipment are not. It is a barrier for some, says Beeston, especially with Nanaimo's reputation as a high child poverty area.
#StocktheLockers - help raise $s to support vulnerable @sd68bc students. Every $ helps! https://t.co/7b1hGtlmGG pic.twitter.com/VaR4rk9psj
— NLSF (@NLSF68) August 11, 2016
“We do safety gloves, eye goggles, safety vests, sometimes we might use it to help support certifications in something like [Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System] or Foodsafe ... We'd also use it for rain gear, pretty much anything the kids need in order to get that work done,” Beeston says.
Beeston says Stock the Lockers money allows the district to take away “a little bit of that sting away,” although not all of it.
“When they need that scientific calculator that's $89 or just simple binders and pens and pencils, the Stock the Lockers campaign takes that complete pressure away and allows the students to focus on their learning and not have to feel judged for their economic situation ....” says Beeston.
Stock the Lockers 2016 runs until Sept. 1 and the foundation's goal is to raise $50,000 – last year's campaign raised $32,000.
“That goes towards, not only school supplies, but running shoes, clothes, breakfast/food programs and incidentals, like graduation fees, field trip fees and athletic fees, as well as emergency medical,” said Crystal Dennison, foundation executive director.
For more information, please see the foundation website at www.nlsf.ca.