Charity Work Day 1

3 April 2014Joanna L, Alexandra '14

We are given lot at Brentwood: a beautiful ocean-front campus, world-class teaching, a sociable boarding environment, and friends that we can rely on and trust. Often then, amongst the hectic Brentwood life – school, assignments, arts, sports – it’s easy to forget how privileged we are. For the first time in four years, Charity Work Day at Brentwood was a chance for students to give back to the community, both local and international. SPARC, the school’s volunteer and peer counseling group, does a lot to give back to the local community, with regular volunteer trips around the Mill Bay area and fundraising for global causes, but Charity Work Day, last Saturday, was a chance for everyone in the school to get involved in helping out in the community. Students in grades 10-12 were placed in small groups to do volunteer work around Mill Bay and the local community to raise money for a number of local grass-roots organizations and national charities and have a chance to give something back. Students were sent out in groups of 6 to 10 under the supervision of a teacher, to either local organizations or to individual homes in the Mill Bay community to be hired out: all proceeds would go to a local or international charity. For those who went to local homes, we were mostly put to work doing yard work and outdoor laboring – shoveling dirt, carrying firewood, clearing plants, planting, cleaning, and landscaping. Those who went to local organizations in the Cowichan Valley were put to work moving furniture, painting, and assisting with odd jobs, while other students ventured out into the community or on-campus to help with garbage pickup and environmental cleanup. Some students were treated to lunch by their hosts, while others brought lunch from school for an on-job snack. Reports of student experiences were that, despite the hard work and long hours, their hosts were very generous and made the time enjoyable. Charity Work Day was a very enjoyable and profitable experience for all and the funds raised will go a long way in making sure that those in the local and international community get the opportunities that they deserve. Many thanks to those who agreed to host us in their homes or businesses, the teachers that chaperoned, Mr. and Mrs. Felix for organizing, and to the students who worked hard all day, rain or shine: your efforts are much appreciated! Joanna L, Alex ‘14

Where Students Choose To Be