Local high school students are willing to clean out your garage and do all those other chores you’ve been putting off – all for a good cause.
A group of about 38 students from Carihi and Timberline secondary schools, and their chaperones, are fundraising to complete a humanitarian project in Guatemala.
The students are part of an International Co-op class which meets outside the regular school timetable and works to make a difference in the world and the community.
The group will be in Guatemala July 1-15 and while there will help build two houses and teach English in the local school and orphanage. The students need to raise $8,000 in project fees and have organized three different community fundraisers to get them there.
First up is a ‘people auction’ called Grunt Work for Guatemala.
Students will work in teams for a minimum of four hours doing grunt work for members of the public such as cleaning out garages, digging ditches, raking lawns, turning over gardens, housework and other tasks people would like to pass off. All work will be supervised.
The community is invited to attend the auction, where chores will be bid on. The auction takes place March 13 at 6 p.m. in the Timberline cafeteria, snacks and refreshments provided. Students will do the chores on either Sat., March 17 or Sun., March 18 at $20 per hour of grunt work.
“If there’s a job not on the schedule people can request it and if they really wanted (the work done) on another weekend we’ll be flexible that way,” says student Laura Beaveridge.
Just over a week later, International Co-op is holding Hoop for Houses. The public is invited to pay a drop in fee of $5 and hula hoop in the Timberline gym on March 20 from 5:30-7 p.m.
The class has 60 hoops available for those who would like to try the hula for a chance to win some great prizes and support a good cause. Jenny the hoop teacher will be on hand for those who need a refresher course. Student Jayden Lontayao said the idea was born while participating in another fundraiser.
“We were bagging groceries at Superstore and we saw hoops for sale for $0.60 each so we decided to do a fundraiser with them,” he said.
Finally, the students will host an Olympic-distance triathlon. The International Co-op a thon includes the traditional 750-metre swimming course, a 20-kilometre biking portion, followed by five kilometres of running. There will be team challenges, a serious athlete section and a fun team category. Cost to participate is $20 per person or $50 per team, with a maximum of six people. Food, drinks and prizes will be included. The course begins at Strathcona Gardens pool and finishes up at Timberline. Application forms are available at Shorerunners (1371 Greenwood St.) and at both Carihi and Timberline.