Three Catholic high schools are teaming up to put on a show to help build a school in the Republic of Congo.
St. Basil Secondary has for several years organized an annual concert, Keep the Beat, featuring student talent. The event has raised more than $3,000 for War Child Canada since its creation. This year, dollars raised will target educating children in the African nation. The school will cost $35,000 to construct. “They’re an amazing group — the things that they do through the world are amazing,” said Ashleigh Abbott, a student member of St. Basil’s faith leadership team. Student fundraisers across the country, including bake sales and bike-a-thons, chipped in more than $180,000 for War Child Canada in 2008. That’s about 10 per cent of the charity’s revenue, said youth programs manager Sarah Lounsbury. “They’re incredibly important,” she said in an interview prior to a Friday morning presentation to 800 St. Basil students.
This year, student groups at approximately 50 secondary schools and about 30 universities in Canada have signed on to help raise cash for War Child Canada.