Senior Service Club News

By Ms. S. Poole, Director of Service, Senior School

Apple picking, pumpkin carving, face painting, thank-you calling . . . the senior service club was the epitome of helpful action this week.
By Ms. S. Poole, Director of Service, Senior School

It's been a busy month for the senior service club! On Saturday, October 19, a group of students volunteered at BC Children's Hospital while another group picked apples at UBC Apple Festival. Then, on Tuesday, October 22, students helped out at Covenant House. Service club is never boring, that's for sure!  

Praise for our Apple Pickers 
Although we already know our students are a charitable bunch, here is what Sharon Norlander, UBC Apple Festival coordinator, said of our students after they volunteered last weekend.  

"They are such enthusiastic, cooperative young people who have, through their volunteerism, contributed to their community, the B.C. Apple industry (we sold 42,000 pounds of apples!) and the sustainability of the UBC Botanical Gardens. The feedback from our members is that the students did an outstanding job." 

Halloween Fun at BC Children's Hospital 
By Edward and Tiffany Hou, Grade 10 
Last Saturday, nine grade 10 students ventured to BC Children’s Hospital to assist with the Halloween event organized by the Children's Organ Transplant Society, which supports families with children who have had or are waiting for an organ transplant. We helped decorate the venue and ran activities including beading, painting, drawing and pumpkin carving. At the well-attended event, the children celebrated Halloween by wearing costumes. It was rewarding to see these children so joyous, carefree and engaged. 

We appreciate the efforts of Elizabeth Tourigny and Ms. Poole for helping to arrange this unforgettable volunteer opportunity. 

Giving Thanks at Covenant House 
By Jan Prchal, Grade 12  
This past Tuesday, 15 eager senior school students went to Covenant House, which provides shelter and support to at-risk youth, for our first Thank-a-Thon of the year. Thank-a-Thons are when volunteers phone donors on behalf of Covenant House to thank them for their donations to the organization. Not only are recipients grateful, but they are more likely to donate again when they know they are appreciated. This week's Thank-a-Thon was a huge success: we made thousands of phone calls and shared many touching stories on the bus ride back.

For many students, this was their first Thank-a-Thon. One of the main goals of Service Council this year is to introduce students to our service projects, so it was great to have so many new participants.

Our next Thank-a-Thon is Tuesday, November 19. Please contact Ms. Poole to take part. 

Service Club Schedule  
• Oct 25-Nov 11: Poppy distribution with Royal Canadian Legion-Branch 44
• Nov 1: International Outreach team announced
• Nov 19: Thank-a-Thon at Covenant House
• Nov 25: HELP (Help, Empathy, Lead, Provide) outreach initiative (distributing food, blankets and clothing to the homeless in Oppenheimer Park). Interested in volunteering? Sign up on the community service board.
• Nov 25-Dec 15: Holiday hampers for RayCam Community Centre
• Dec 1: BC Children’s Hospital Starlight event
• Dec 8: BC Children’s Hospital Chan Centre event for organ transplants

Service Club Meetings 
For more information on these events or to sign up to volunteer, please contact Ms. Poole. Or attend a service club meeting, which take place every Thursday at lunch in room 106. All senior school students are welcome!  
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Since 1996, West Point Grey Academy has gratefully resided on the Jericho Lands, the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. Honoured to learn and play on these beautiful lands, we endeavour to be a leader in Indigenous education. In creating shared understanding and opportunities, we hope to help foster a more equitable society for all.

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West Point Grey Academy

4125 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C., V6R 4P9
Tel: 604-222-8750