We Scare event puts spooky spin on giving

by Stephen Dafoe

A number of Georges H. Primeau students will go without bags of candy this Halloween so that Morinville and area families won’t have to go without food. Me-to-We group members at the school will once again participate in the annual We Scare Hunger campaign, carting wagons around town and trick or treating for Food Bank donations rather than candy.

Teacher Dianne Hutton said the Me-to-We group has been at the school for three years and has expanded from 15 students to 45. Last year participants gathered 880 pounds of food for the Morinville Food Bank, an amount that was matched by Sobeys Morinville franchise owner Stu Trenchard. Hutton said Sobeys would once again match the poundage raised by Primeau students.

“With it being Friday night this year, they want to trick or treat longer,” Hutton said, adding students will meet at the school at a set time to offload their collection and have a meal together. “Hopefully this year it will be just as good. The kids will have wagons because it doesn’t take long for your canned goods to weigh a lot.”

One enthusiastic participant of this year’s campaign is Primeau student Chantel Kennedy. “I want to help the people who are less fortunate and don’t get to have food like we do,” Kennedy said of her eagerness to participate. “I don’t really think that we need candy because we can get candy. But for the people that don’t get to have food or even just get to enjoy a little, they can enjoy it.

Miss Kennedy said although many of the Me to We group will participate throughout town; three students will be assisting her in her neighbourhood.

In addition to going door-to-door collecting donation for the food bank, a drop box will be placed in the driveway of 7911-97 Street in South Glens for people to come and make donations.

Part of ongoing initiative

The Me to We group is an ongoing project at the school, part of a national emphasis on giving back to the community. Kennedy, who has been part of the group since its inception three years ago, will be attending her first We Day in Calgary on Nov. 3. The motivational day includes performances from major celebrities, each sharing their stories on making a difference.

“I think it is important for us to learn that we have a lot compared to them,” she said of others less fortunate. “It’s a group that makes a positive impact on the world.”