Hinchenbrooke PS fundraiser for 2012 grads

Photo: Penny Cota of the Hinchinbrooke PS parent council mans the mike at HPS' 2012 grad trip fundraiser

Members of the Hinchinbrooke Public School Parent Council are hoping to send 16 grade eight graduates to Montreal for their 2012 year end grad trip. Their goal is raise the $400 each it will cost per student to send them to Montreal for three days. Judging by the turn out at the second annual Chinese dinner and quarter auction fundraiser, the entire community shares that goal. The sold out event, which took place on Feb. 18 in the school gym, demonstrated the coming together of the school and the community. In preparation for the event each class at the school was given a theme and the students solicited donations from members of the community to make up secret gift bags, which were bid upon at the auction. Congratulations to Mr. Kent's grade one/two class, who brought in the most prizes for the event.

The efforts of the students resulted in a total of 52 gift bags, each up for grabs for a quarter bid. Auctioneer for the evening Penny Cota read out the clues for each bag, which included hints like “Calling All Gleeks”, and "You light up my life". She was joined by parent council members Christine and Bob Teal, Lisa Hamilton, Lynn Smail and Lisa Goodberry, who busily collected the quarters. After all the bids were in, numbers were picked and the person with the number won the bag.

Organizers are very dedicated to giving the graduates an opportunity to travel to Montreal. The students will be departing on June 19 and will be staying at dorms at McGill University. They will have a chance to see numerous parks and historic sights including the Bio Dome. They will also be dining out at French restaurants and will have an opportunity to practice their French language skills. Penny Cota spoke about the opportunity the trip offers to these students. “For many of these kids this represents a once in a lifetime experience and we all feel its very important to help give them a chance to make this very special kind of trip, which they will remember for the rest of their lives.” Hats off to the parent council and students and staff at HPS and the community, whose efforts and generosity raised $2500 for this special year end trip. The parent council has planned their second fundraiser for April 14, an all-day dodgeball tournament that will take place at the school.