YRDSB Archives - Canadian Medical Assistance Teams

April 10, 2014 – Jeewan Chanicka – Fundraising

As an educator, Jeewan Chanicka wanted to extend the work he was doing with CMAT into the students’ learning which was happening in his classroom. The Helping Hands project was born early on in CMAT’s existence and through this, students from across the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) engaged in learning which resulted in them assisting children and families around the world. “With the growing partnership between CMAT and our schools, and through the support of our Inclusive Schools and Community Services, Helping Hands has been made a system-wide initiative across the YRDSB,” states Jeewan.

YRDSB Principal Mr. Jeewan Chanicka and Community Resource Facilitator Ms. Yvonne Kelly present CMAT Executive Director Valerie Rzepka with a cheque from the “Helping Hands” fundraising campaign.

February 28, 2014 – A social goal for York Region District School Board (YRDSB) is to encourage students to become active, global citizens and understand their roles as leaders in our global village. Recorded history has not witnessed such catastrophic devastation as Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), which struck the Philippines in November 2013. Active learning and focus on character traits such as empathy requires that students do their utmost to help.

Through its Helping Hands project, staff and students in the YRDSB have raised over $50,000 for CMAT’s project in the Philippines, to provide help for victims of the typhoon. Students were encouraged to reach into their own pockets and to give generously. Loonie and Twoonie campaigns raised an average of $1400 per school in the school board.

All monies collected have been put towards CMAT’s relief projects in the Philippines. CMAT has an established reputation and funds raised go directly into the field.

Today, CMAT Executive Director Valerie Rzepka accepted a cheque from YRDSB representatives Jeewan Chanicka and Yvonne Kelly. Congratulations go out to YRDSB on an incredible fundraising effort!!

On behalf of CMAT, and the beneficiaries of our care, we wish to express our sincerest thanks to the staff and students of York Region District School Board. Together, the students will become better aware of the magnitude of this tragedy and continue to learn their moral and social responsibility and making the utmost effort to make a difference. With your continued support, CMAT can continue to extend a Helping Hand to those who are suffering immeasurable losses in the Philippines.