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Philanthropy 101 Program:

High school students from Niverville, Landmark, Ste. Anne, Grunthal, Steinbach Christian High, and Steinbach Regional Secondary School (SRSS) have been participating in this program since 2003. Loewen Windows provides each school with a $2,000 grant that is to be distributed to a charitable organization chosen by the students. After school meetings are held with John Loewen to discuss the group's priorities and interests in helping others in the world, students break out into pairs to interview charitable organizations that they want to know more about. The group meets again to go over the findings, and then the real fun begins. It can be a deliberating process to choose one charitable organization to receive the grant.

Last year the students from the SRSS decided to award Youth for Christ with the $2,000 grant, with the money going towards the U-Turn housing project. The students' priority was to help fellow SRSS students, so they felt that providing other students with adequate housing was very important. Then, the SRSS group met with the other schools at a luncheon at Loewen Windows to celebrate National Philanthropy Day, to award Youth for Christ with the cheque, and to honour veteran volunteers in the Steinbach area.

The first Philanthropy 101 meeting for the 2009-2010 school year is taking place Monday, October 5th in J4 at 4:05 pm. If you have any questions about this program, please see Ms. Booth. Those who want to be apart of the CUchange group are encouraged to take part in this program.

CUchange:

After last year's Philanthropy 101 program, the students felt that they could do more to assist the wonderful charitable organizations in the Steinbach area. Considering that Manitoba is the most generous province in Canada, it is no surprise that SRSS students want to help others who are less fortunate. The name itself is important. CUchange stands for "Community, Unity, Change", essential values to the group.

Last year we got involved in a vast array of events and activities. We...

• collected non-perishable food items for Southeast Helping Hands
• raised money for Soup Is On (Steinbach soup kitchen) with a bake sale at the Clearspring Mall and a movie showing during lunch periods at the school
• raised awareness and money for the National Human Rights Museum (to open in 2012 in Winnipeg) by putting on the "Fight for Your Right!" variety night at the SRSS theatre, which showcased SRSS students' talents through music, drama, dance, and Improv
• took the six week Palliative Care Volunteer Training Course at the Bethesda Hospital; some students are currently volunteering with meal tray service and available to sit with patients
• Heart and Stroke Foundation's Big Bike

How Can You Join?

Most weeks we have Thursday meetings in J4 at 4:05 pm. To find out when our meetings and events are, check out this page or check the morning announcements.

We are in the works of creating a core CUchange committee - a group of highly dedicated students who want to be involved with every CUchange event. Then, we have members who want to be involved with most or some of the CUchange activities. We are currently looking for SRSS students - all grade levesl - to become regular or casual members.

Tip: Remember, employers and post-secondary institutions LOVE to hire/recruit students with volunteer experience. Make yourself stand out from the rest!

If you have any questions/ideas for future activities/events, please contact the group's supervising teacher, Ms. Booth. (abooth@hsd.ca)