Schools across the Thames Valley District School Board are launching the month-long Toonie Tuesday campaign, raising funds to help students and families facing urgent financial challenges.
The initiative supports the Thames Valley Education Foundation’s Caring Fund, an emergency program that provides assistance when students experience unexpected hardship. Foundation officials say the campaign aims to raise $50,000 this month through school-based fundraising activities.
“We can help families to support them with groceries, with clothing and toiletries, if there is support needed for transportation,” said Cecile Klerks, acting executive director of the Thames Valley Education Foundation.
Schools are organizing a range of activities, including themed spirit days and school events, with proceeds going directly to the fund. One such school is Sir Wilfred Laurier Secondary School, where students and staff are making an exerted effort to support the campaign.
Sir Wilfred Secondary School sign. (Credit: Margaret Laver, XFM News)
“At Laurier, we are big supporters of Toonie Tuesday. We do have a number of students who we have supported through the Education Foundation,” said Stephanie Hambides, the principal at Laurier.
Hambides said the Caring Fund is often used in emergency situations when families suddenly lose access to essential belongings or housing.
“We have had students who have had very serious things, tragedies happen. House fires, for instance, apartment building fires where we’ll have more than just one family who’s affected and they’ll lose everything,” she said.
She added that emergency funding can help provide immediate essentials such as clothing and basic necessities while families arrange longer-term support through insurance or community agencies.
“We have teenagers who unfortunately are not able to live at home and they’re on their own. And so providing them with food and providing them with a way of, you know, making sure that they’re able to wash their hair, able to take a shower, able to just feel good about themselves when they come into school,” Hambides said.
Hambides said even small contributions can make a meaningful difference for students in need.
“A little bit from everybody goes a very, very long way. So every little bit counts,” she said.
Schools across the region will continue hosting fundraising activities throughout February, with all proceeds supporting the Caring Fund’s emergency assistance for students and families.
