The Spreading Warmth Project for Afghan Refugees
In early October, Grade 10 students Alyssa Gesualdo, Lily Chen and Olivia Budweth developed an idea with the goal of keeping local Afghan refugees warm for the upcoming harsh winter. This included hosting a clothing drive and hot chocolate fundraiser at The Country Day School in support of this initiative.
This is a Community Giving Project as part of their commitments to the DECA Club, run by Ms. Aldoroty. Festive bags and tracking sheets were put in each homeroom for the students to drop off their gently used thermal clothing. Each week culminated with the tricky task of carrying a series of large and heavy bags to the truck. In the span of three weeks, due to the CDS community’s giving spirit, the determined group received upwards of 600 pieces of clothing.
After hours of sorting and counting, the clothes were ready to be distributed to the New Circles GLOW clothing bank in Toronto. They secured many local sponsors who pledged to match the amount of clothing collected with a generous donation toward aid in Afghanistan, amounting to more than $2000.
During the final few days of the drive, this group held a hot chocolate pop up, hoping to give warmth and generosity back to the CDS community. In the end, the Middle School raised $240 and the Senior School raised $275. With the money raised, the three students wanted to do something interactive in the community. Through nights of planning and research, lots of emails and phone calls, they were able to identify the Muslim Welfare Center (MWC) in need of support. On Sunday, December 19th, the three girls headed to the MWC in Regent Park. There they were able to fund and serve a warm meal to more than 200 guests and witness the direct impact of their actions.
Following the write-up of this fulfilling experience, Alyssa, Lily and Olivia are looking forward to attending DECA provincials in February.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
13415 Dufferin Street King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
