For Immediate Release
May 14, 2012 –
KFL&A Students Rise to the Challenge
Students Change Their World through Volunteerism
Not only did local high school students embrace the ChangeTheWorld challenge, they exceeded local targets by more than a threefold margin.
ChangeTheWorld, the Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge, inspired high school students across the province to commit to volunteerism during the April 15 to May 6 challenge period, developing new skills and broadening their awareness of community service organizations.
United Way Volunteer Services administered the challenge in Kingston and Lennox and Addington county and launched it during National Volunteer Week in mid-April, encouraging students to sign up and log the hours they volunteered. They set goals of 90 to 150 students and 300 to 500 hours.
The challenge started with an inspirational speech by Free the Children founder Craig Kielburger. Over the next 3 weeks, approximately 500 students signed up and recorded more than 1,400 volunteer hours.
“Seeing so many students rise to the occasion was truly phenomenal,” says United Way president and CEO Bhavana Varma. “It shows that the young people of KFL&A are committed to making an impact on their community. It speaks well for student engagement today and even better for the future.”
Students at La Salle Secondary School took part in the challenge by organizing soccer tournaments and a neighbourhood clean-up day. The Kingston Collegiate Vocational Institute rowing team held an awareness event. Regiopolis Notre Dame students volunteered to be reading buddies for a Grade 1 class. Holy Cross students held a pitch-in day and a blood donor clinic. Loyalist Collegiate Vocational Institute students held a road race for elementary school students. Frontenac Secondary School students took part in the 30-Hour Famine to raise money and awareness about world hunger, and Napanee District Secondary School students held a neighbourhood clean-up day.
About United Way
United Way serving KFL&A supports immediate needs through funding local programs that were accessed by 85,000 people last year. United Way also works with key partners, individuals and organizations to determine root causes of social issues, investing resources and measuring results over time. This creates lasting change, fulfills long-term needs and strengthens individuals and our community.
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Media Contact:
Bhavana Varma
bvarma@unitedwaykfla.ca
613-542-2674, ext. 2
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