Supporting Students of School District 68


Carlo Pellegrino, Staples regional manager, right, with NLSF President Dave Hammond, centre, with Staples stores managers and the gift cheque.		Carlo Pellegrino, left, NLSF President Dave Hammond, Nanaimo Mayor John Ruttan and Nanaimo MLA Leonard Krog, right, with student representatives Sadie, Emily, Charlton and Bobby.

Staples and Schools Foundation Launch Stock the Lockers Campaign for Needy Students

Goal to Raise $50,000 for students in the community

The Nanaimo Staples stores kicked off the 2010 Stock The Lockers campaign August 9 with a $5,000 donation towards a goal of $50,000 to be raised to support needy students in School District 68.

In a launch ceremony at Staples Aulds Road store, Staples District Manager for western Canada, Carlo Pellegrino presented the $5,000 cheque to Dave Hammond, President of the Nanaimo Ladysmith Schools Foundation. Mr. Pellegrino said he hoped that Staples patrons and other businesses in the community would support the goal of helping needy children start the school year on an equal footing with their more fortunate peers.

The proceeds of Stock the Lockers will be used to purchase school supplies in time for the start of school in September, and also to reinforce the Foundation’s Student Support Fund. The fund provides food, hygiene items, shoes, eye glasses and bus passes to students from poor families.

Four local students, acting as representatives for their fellow students, opened the event with touching descriptions of how poverty affects so many of their classmates.

Dave Hammond reminded the gathering at the launch that child poverty is very real issue in our community. The Nanaimo-Ladysmith district still ranks among the highest in British Columbia in terms of poverty-stricken students. Children living below the poverty line are the hardest hit and often go without food and basic necessities on a regular basis. Students in our community should not have to go without, he said.

Donations can be made at any Staples location in Nanaimo at the checkout. You can also make a donation via cheque to the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation or online at www.nlsf.ca.

The Nanaimo-Ladysmith School Foundation raises funds and works in partnership with teachers, administrators and counselors in School District 68 to deliver support programs that better the lives of students in need.. Supplies and programs that are not covered by the school board budget are supplemented through the Foundation.

Awards Night honours grads and donors

The Foundation and officials from School District 68 hosted graduating students and donors of awards at the Port Theatre, Nanaimo on June 8. Foundation President Dave Hammond and District Superintendent Mike Munro congratulated the grads and paid tribute to all the donors who had provided 433 scholarships, awards and bursaries totaling just over $290,000.00 in value. During the evening 254 of these awards totaling $180,700 were presented to 206 deserving students. The remainder of the awards, including the Ministry District/Dogwood Scholarships, have since been presented to students at individual schools.

Foundation receives brand new shoes

Once again, thanks to the support from Runners of Compassion Nanaimo, the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation has received $2,000 worth of brand new running shoes for students in need across the district.

The shoes, from Frontrunners, will make the difference for 33 students. This is the second year that Runners of Compassion have donated the running shoes to the foundation.

Mid Island Co-op challenges the community

Mid Island Co-op has pledged $25,000 to match community donations over the next four years to support programs that help local students in need. All donations will go to the Student Support Fund.

Community contributions should be made by cheque and mailed to the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation, 550, 7th Street, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 3Z2.

Mid Island Co-op Board Chair presents NLSF President Dave Hammond with the pledge cheque.

Helping students with special needs

Thanks to a $30,000 grant from the Ronald McDonald House Charities, students with special needs in Nanaimo-Ladysmith have access to a loan bank of special equipment that helps them communicate better and succeed in school.

Bob Esliger, District Principal of Student Support Services and Erin van Steen, Executive Director of the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation accept a cheque from Wayne Krawchuk of McDonalds.

Winter Newsletter 2009 - 2010

We work with: Cash donations, Memorial gifts, Endowment/Wills, Life Insurance policies, Securities