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SD43 schools raise over $25,000 for Ft. McMurray

Toonie Tuesday challenge motivated families to give to the Red Cross for victim support
Pitt River
Pitt River middle school students, including (from left) Yianni Rodriguez, A.J. Romanillos and Rojeen Palani, held a challenge this past spring to raise funds for the Red Cross Fort McMurray wildfire efforts. Schools were encouraged to hold Toonie Tuesdays and in all $25,420.21 was raised.

The totals are in and the news is good: Students in School District 43 raised more than $25, 000 for Fort McMurray relief efforts — one toonie at a time.

Funds were raised on Toonie Tuesday, an initiative of students at Pitt River middle school that spread to schools across the district.

The Canadian Red Cross has pledged to use donations to support recovery operations and help those affected by the fire that prompted one of the biggest evacuations in Canadian history. In all, about 2,400 homes and buildings burned in the fire and 80,000 people were forced to move.

"Our class would like to thank all of the students and staff in the district who contributed, supported our Toonie Tuesdays campaign, and worked hard to make this happen. The power of the toonie grew exponentially when combined with all the other toonies in the district," stated teacher Kiren Chand in an email.