A Grade 12 student at Heritage Woods secondary is one of six students in Canada to win a $2,500 Scotiabank Bright Future award and he's donating to a fundraiser tomorrow to help a family in need at the Port Moody school.
Areez Saleh is one of 12 youths from around the world to receive the award, which honours students engaged in volunteer work. Winners, who must complete 100 hours of volunteer work and submit an essay describing the effect of their contributions on charitable organizations, their community and themselves, receive $2,500 to donate to a charity of their choice, as well as a tablet computer for their own use.
Saleh has donated his award to Heritage Woods' Kodiaks With a Purpose (KWAP) charity, of which he is an executive member. The group is organizing a fundraising night Thursday to help a Grade 10 student with cystic fibrosis whose twin sisters, both of whom also suffer from the lung disease, will attend the school next year.
Saleh's mother, Najma Saleh, said her son has wanted to help others from a very young age, working to alleviate poverty globally and locally. His volunteerism includes participating in and donating to the Aga Khan Foundation's World Partnership Golf tournaments, Clothes for Kids drives, collecting sports uniforms and cleats to send overseas, organizing food drives and other initiatives at his school. Last summer, Saleh was also part of a Habitat for Humanity effort to build a home for a family in El Salvador.
With KWAP, Saleh is organizing the April 23 auction night at the school featuring food, student performances, a speaker on cystic fibrosis and a live and silent auction. Everyone is welcome to attend and funds raised will benefit cystic fibrosis research. Tickets cost $15 (general admission) and $10 (student) at the school or by emailing [email protected].
@spayneTC
