HOPE supports STARS, Broncos families

Share

By Jenna Beaumont, Lara Denbow and Declan Smith

Neepawa Banner & Press

Did you know that our overflowing landfills are filled with materials that could be recycled and reused? Although Canadians have been recycling 60 per cent more materials than in 2000, we could still do better.

The NACI HOPE group this year has been focusing more on the environment. One big focus of ours is on recycling. How well have you been recycling? Some common things that are often put in the recycling are Tim Horton disposable coffee cups, candy wrappers, kleenexes, and half full drink containers. However, these are not recyclable. Don’t let this scare you from recycling though! It is very important to make sure things that can be reused are recycled.

The HOPE group has organized an activity for the classes to participate in at NACI. The students were asked to make sure they recycle what is recyclable and put garbage in the garbage. Each class had their recycling bins gone through by HOPE members. They were given points if they had things in the wrong bin. They wanted the lowest points possible. We are hoping to see a change in our recycling here at the school by doing these activities.

HOPE also took part in a program called Bag Up Manitoba this fall. To participate, people collected plastic bags of any kind to donate them, so they can be reused. We had to make sure they were clean though! We collected 4,419 bags for the program last fall.  The program sent us a bird feeder for our school, made of plastic bags. Although HOPE won’t be collecting plastic bags again until the fall, you can drop them off at Safeway to recycle. These bags are can be reused to make everyday items. Our school will be doing this program again next fall, so make sure you collect your bags!

Our next project that we have worked on involved some fundraising initiatives. On April 12, STARS Air Ambulance came to our school to tell us all about the important work they do in our province.  We invited a special guest, Beckham Koscielny, who is a special STARS ambassador, to be with us that day. It also happened to be Jersey Day for Humboldt. All the students were asked to wear a jersey and bring a donation.  We were able to raise $700 and donated that money to STARS Air Ambulance Saskatchewan in memory of the Humboldt Broncos. The HOPE students are also working on special care packages to the Humboldt Bronco families.

A week later, NACI participated in Delay the Day.  All students brought in their change to help delay classes. For every $1 raised, classes were delayed for one minute. NACI raised a total of $1,400 that day and this money was donated to STARS Manitoba. Thank you to everyone for helping our HOPE group make a difference!

HOPE’s next project is working with the Rotary Club doing a spring food drive. NACI HOPE students will be coming around to residences on May 11 to drop off bags for you to put food into. Then, on the afternoon of May 15, HOPE students will be back to collect the non-perishable food items. Items that are needed include canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meat, rice, small one pound bags of sugar, small flour packages, coffee, tea, peanut butter, jam, crackers and school snacks. Please help HOPE and the Rotary Club with the food drive!

The NACI HOPE group is a social justice group open to students in Grades 6-12. HOPE stands for Helping Others Pursue Equality.