Owen Sound District Secondary School has raised over triple its fundraising goal for this year's Relay for Life, thanks to the efforts of two Leadership classes.
Relay for Life events, which support the Canadian Cancer Society, are typically held in the springtime. However, because the event was student-led by members of the leadership class that runs in the fall, they only had a few weeks to pull it off.
Because of that short turnaroud, the initial fundraising target was set at $10,000, but students were able to double that in a week and a half.
The event took place at the school on Thursday, October 2, with around 180 students participating in the opening survivor lap, led around the OSDSS field by local cancer survivors.
All told, the event raised over $30,000 and counting, as donations continue to come in. As of Tuesday, October 7, donations have totalled over $37,000.
"It's been absolutely incredible to watch these kids team up and go to work for an amazing cause," said Leadership teacher Katie Ferguson. "As the Leadership teacher for the last four years, it has been the most rewarding experience of my teaching career to see how incredible these young people are and what they can accomplish—not just this event, but the many we have done over the last several years. Sometimes teenagers get a bad rap, but I know firsthand how compassionate and dedicated they can be. It truly brings me so much joy to work with them."
To learn more about the event or contribute to the cause, visit the OSDSS Relay for Life page.
