JBHS Students raise over $2000 for Mental Health and Addictions

On Saturday, February 16 John Burke High opened its doors to host a student-lead Silent Auction in support of increased Mental Health and Addictions services on the Burin Peninsula and raised an overwhelming total of $2052.80.

There were over 60 bundles of goods up for grabs

The Entrepreneurship 3209 class comprised of grade eleven and twelve students took approximately four weeks to prepare their event. In preparation, students applied practical skills to solicit donations from the community, organize, promote, and execute the fundraiser.

This was a popular assignment among students, grade twelve student Zoe Hollett reflects that this work was a good learning experience, she found the interaction with the public beneficial “it builds on communication skills, and we see the  reward from our hard work.” Students would be constantly working, and took on working during non-school hours without being asked.

The event, that took place from 12-3 on February 16 was very well attended. Destiny Bennett, another grade twelve student took this school assignment very seriously. She says that she did not mind giving up her Saturday to pull off the auction, “we were busy from the time it started to the time we finished- we wanted to be there. Knowing that the community supported us was really helpful and it showed that people cared.”

There was a selection of treats provided by the students for the fundraiser

Students (l-r): Santana Baker, Blake Savoury, Megan Papail, and Alisha Lundrigan

Alisha Lundrigan, a grade eleven student at JBHS, glowed when she spoke of the work. “I thought it was a really good learning experience, because we worked so hard to pull this off and seeing it come to life is amazing.” She also spoke of the relevance that Mental Health and Addictions services in the area. “I think because most of us teens know people with Mental Health issues, some of them are family and some are friends so it would be nice to help them.”

Funds will go to the Burin Peninsula Health Care Foundation in their plight to increase programming to Mental Health and Addictions Programs in Grand Bank and Fortune.