Students hit the trails for Agapè Centre

Image of Shawna O'Neill
By Shawna O'Neill
Students hit the trails for Agapè Centre
From left, Vic Leroux, Stephanie Nalepa, Sarah McLeod, Barak Kline, Shir-El Kline and Rebecca Goulet at the Summerstown Trails on Tuesday, March 5. Shawna O'Neill/TC Media.

SUMMERSTOWN, Ontario – Students of Tagwi Secondary School strapped on their snowshoes and hit the trails for their first ever Snowshoe-athlon fundraiser at the Summerstown Trails on Tuesday, March 5.

Rebecca Goulet, Area Director of Eastern Counties Youth Unlimited, explained that the students developed the fundraising idea through the outreach program. Goulet said that there is a Safe Zone at Tagwi in which students  brainstorm We Day campaign ideas. Within the pillar model of the campaigns is the importance of health in the community. Goulet said students decided to source donations to support healthy, perishable food options at our local Agapè Centre.

“We thought, let’s (raise) some money to help support their meal programs and the perishable foods instead of the non-perishables,” said Goulet.

Goulet is proud of the involved students for their initiative and reaching their fundraising goal of $1,000.

“The kids come up with the idea on their own and I am just here alongside them to help,” said Goulet.

Stephanie Nalepa, Fundraising Coordinator with Agapè Centre, attended the event and expressed her gratitude.

“Of course we were excited to be able to provide so much more perishable foods, as in fresh vegetables and fresh meat to those that use our services…it will be an incredible help to the centre and we are very much happy to have the opportunity for this partnership.

Goulet is hoping to encourage students to continue the event as an annual fundraiser.

“We thought, let’s build on this one and have it even more encompassing next year,” said Goulet, who is considering installing barrels along the trail where people can donate non-perishables leading up to the event and learn facts about the centre as they enjoy the outdoors.

“As a not for profit organization, we are very pleased to host our first event of Agapè Centre fundraising. I hope with this event evolving, we will have several others for years to come. The trails are open for all to enjoy,” said President of Summerstown Trails, Vic Leroux. Summerstown Trails donated $100 to the fundraiser.

Goulet gratefully thanked all community partners involved.

Lunch materials were sponsored by FreshCo, No Frills and Baxtrom’s Your Independent Grocer, cooked by Youth Unlimited team members.

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