Tsunami Relief Effort

The final total is ... 
Thursday, March 10, 2005 - $301,238!

Premier McGuinty Congratulates Thames Valley on Tsunami Relief Effort

Ontario Lieutenant Governor Thanks TVDSB for Tsunami Fundraising Efforts
Thames Valley Donates $247,399 to Red Cross Tsunami Relief Effort
January 11, 2005
During a special ceremony at tonight’s Committee of the Student representatives from Thames Valley schools presented a cheque for $247,399 to the Canadian Red Cross Tsunami Relief Effort at Tuesday night's Board meeting. The money was raised in a system-wide campaign throughout the past week. As donations continue to come in, Thames Valley's total contribution is still rising. Visit the Tsunami Relief page for the latest news!
Whole meeting, student representatives from the Thames 
Valley District School Board presented a cheque for $247,399 to the Canadian Red Cross Tsunami Relief Effort. The money was raised in a system-wide campaign held in schools and administrative offices throughout the past week.

"I have never been more proud of our schools, students, and staff than I am today," said Director of Education Bill Bryce. "I want to extend my sincere thanks to the entire Thames Valley community for responding with such overwhelming generosity to this crisis. You have demonstrated without question that ours is a Caring, Learning Community. To raise this much money in only a week is an absolutely extraordinary accomplishment."

The money will be used by the Red Cross to provide necessities of life to victims of the tsunamis. It was formally donated by students from Beal SS, Lord Dorchester SS, Westmount PS, Algonquin PS, and Southwold PS on behalf of schools across the District.

"Our schools were immediately and completely behind the campaign from the moment it was launched," Director Bryce said. "Our students were touched by the images and stories that came out of the tsunami. They wanted to help and they have made an outstanding contribution to the relief effort."

Red Cross District Branch Manager Angie Woodcock called Thames Valley’s donation a phenomenal display of generosity.

"I have been amazed not only by the amount of this donation, but by the genuine concern the kids have shown," Woodcock said. "They have been motivated by a pure and inspiring desire to help less fortunate people without any agenda or politics. This has come right from their hearts, which I think is a promising demonstration of what the future holds for the global community."

For more information about the Red Cross Tsunami Relief Effort, visit the Canadian Red Cross website at http://www.tvdsb.on.ca/tsunami%20relief.shtml .

A Message to All Staff
January 12, 2005
I have the distinct pleasure today of announcing that, as of this morning, Thames Valley’s fundraising efforts have generated the extraordinary total of $252,212 - over one quarter of a million dollars - for the Red Cross Tsunami Relief Effort.

I want each and every one of you to know how proud and grateful I am for the work that you have done in the past week to raise this money. The overwhelming generosity that our schools, work sites, and communities have shown is a great testament to the compassion that is the heart of our Caring, Learning Community. This is truly an inspiring event in our Board’s history and one in which we should all take great pride.

I am personally touched to know how deeply our students have been moved by the experiences of other people in distant places. Thames Valley’s campaign is the success it is because our students have taken this very worthwhile cause to heart. Their energy and ideas have been, in many cases, the catalyst for this wonderful accomplishment. I hope you will share with them the Board’s heartfelt thank you which was formalized by motion at the meeting on Tuesday evening.

The money we have raised will be put to excellent use. It will provide desperately needed medicine, clothing, food, clean drinking water, and other necessities of life to thousands of people who are suffering. It will help bring comfort to communities that have been ravaged by this terrible tragedy. We are fortunate to live where we do, but events like this one remind us that we are not isolated, and that we have much to offer our friends and neighbours in the global community.

The crisis has not ended. While now is an appropriate time to reflect on our success, we must remain diligent in supporting Red Cross and other worthy tsunami relief efforts. I want to thank you again not only for the work you have already done on this campaign, but for the work that I know you will continue to do. You are all a tribute to the Thames Valley District School Board and I applaud you for this remarkable achievement.

Sincerely,

Bill Bryce
Director of Education

One special week becomes a busy Tuesday ...
Last minute donations by:
Clarke Road SS John P. Robarts PS

 Clarke Road SS

John P. Robarts PS

Counting the money.
Counting the money.

Special delivery to the Red Cross.

Special delivery to the Red Cross.

The formal presentation.

The formal presentation.
A Message From the Director to All Staff
January 3, 2005

As we return to work this week, the global community is faced with an urgent and difficult challenge. While most of us are fortunate to have enjoyed a safe and happy holiday, hundreds of thousands of children and their families in Asia have seen their lives completely changed as a result of the tsunamis that have devastated the region.

I know our system is eager to join the rest of the world as it mobilizes to provide aid and relief to the victims of last week’s tragedy. Accordingly, I am designating this week as a special fundraising week throughout the District with the goal of donating at least a toonie for each staff member and student on behalf of the TVDSB to the Canadian Red Cross Asian Tsunami Relief. Funds will be used to provide clean drinking water, food, medication and other necessities of  life for those who have been tragically impacted.

Time is of the essence. I am asking that you begin publicizing the campaign throughout your school community and collecting donations as soon as possible.

I would greatly appreciate it if you or a staff member at your school/worksite would coordinate your campaign, collect donations and prepare the school/worksite cheque. Please make the cheque payable to "Red Cross Asian Tsunami Relief" and forward to Theresa Levschuk, Executive Assistant in the Director’s Office, by Wednesday, January 12, 2005.  

I encourage all staff and school communities to support this critical relief effort. With your help, we can demonstrate the heart of Thames Valley’s Caring, Learning Community and provide urgent assistance to those in desperate need.

BILL BRYCE
Director of Education

The challenge is on to raise funds for Thames Valley's  Tsunami Relief Effort. Students at Lord Dorchester SS raised $300.00 in three hours Monday, and issued a challenge to all schools to get involved and help the Red Cross in its international disaster appeal. The challenge is on to raise funds for Thames Valley's Tsunami Relief Effort. Students at Lord Dorchester SS raised $300.00 in three hours Monday, and issued a challenge to all schools to get involved and help the Red Cross in its international disaster appeal.
Students at London's Chippewa Public School count and roll change they collected as part of Thames Valley's Tsunami Relief Effort. So far, the school has raised more than $300 that will help the Red Cross supply necessities of life to victims of last week's disaster. Students at London's Chippewa Public School count and roll change they collected as part of Thames Valley's Tsunami Relief Effort. So far, the school has raised more than $300 that will help the Red Cross supply necessities of life to victims of last week's disaster.
Students of Southwold PS (Elgin) spent the day counting their school and community contributions to the Thames Valley Tsunami Disaster Relief Effort and found they had raised $2,508 in less than three days. The school expects even more will be raised before the Thames Valley campaign closes at the end of the week.
Students from Norwich District High School do their part to aid victims of last week's tsunamis, gathering donations from their peers and teachers that will be contributed to the Red Cross Tsunami Relief Effort.  
Pupils of Byron Northview PS (London) counted $2,000 in Tsunami Relief Effort donations Friday after a busy week of fund raising among students, teachers, parents and the community at large. All funds raised within the Thames Valley system are being donated to the Canadian Red Cross. Pupils of Byron Northview PS (London) counted $2,000 in Tsunami Relief Effort donations Friday after a busy week of fund raising among students, teachers, parents and the community at large. All funds raised within the Thames Valley system are being donated to the Canadian Red Cross.
The staff and students of London's Laurier Secondary School collected more than $3,000 for the victims of the Asian tsunami. The money will be included in the Board's donation the Canadian Red Cross Tsunami Relief Effort. The staff and students of London's Laurier Secondary School collected more than $3,000 for the victims of the Asian tsunami. The money will be included in the Board's donation the Canadian Red Cross Tsunami Relief Effort.
The staff and students at River Heights PS in Dorchester built a special rainbow in the school's main hall to show their support for the victims of the Asian tsunami. Each circle in the rainbow represents a toonie collected for the Red Cross Tsunami Relief Effort. To date, the school has raised more than $1,200. The staff and students at River Heights PS in Dorchester built a special rainbow in the school's main hall to show their support for the victims of the Asian tsunami. Each circle in the rainbow represents a toonie collected for the Red Cross Tsunami Relief Effort. To date, the school has raised more than $1,200.
Throughout the past week, Thames Valley's schools and work sites have been hard at work on behalf of the Red Cross. Here's a look at the schools in action!
Sir Georges Etienne Cartier PS Woodland Heights PS
Sir Georges Etienne Cartier PS Woodland Heights PS
Montcalm PS Nicholas Wilson PS

Montcalm SS

Nicholas Wilson PS

Northadale PS Plover Mills PS

Northdale PS

Plover Mills PS

Prince Andrew PS South Ridge PS

Prince Andrew PS

South Ridge PS

Springbank PS Ealing PS

Springbank PS

Ealing PS

Teachers at North Middlesex District High School sacrifice hair, eyebrows, beard, and mustache for the Relief cause. Teachers at North Middlesex District High School sacrifice hair, eyebrows, beard, and mustache for the Relief cause.

Teachers at North Middlesex District High School sacrifice hair, eyebrows, beard, and mustache for the Relief cause.

Stoneybrook PS (London) students were producing their own special Tsunami Relief Fund CD song Friday and getting ready to sell it throughout the community. Music teacher Jane Buckman wrote the song on New Year's Eve with the chorus: "I know we are half a world away./ But we keep thinking of you./ In some small way./ Each and every day". Stoneybrook PS (London) students were producing their own special Tsunami Relief Fund CD song Friday and getting ready to sell it throughout the community. Music teacher Jane Burkman wrote the song on New Year's Eve with the chorus: "I know we are half a world away./ But we keep thinking of you./ In some small way./ Each and every day".

 

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