Bedrock Play School received $280 on September 19 after a group of community-minded kids decided to donate to the pre-school at the first 100 Kids Who Care meeting on September 11.
The 100 Kids Who Care group brings together children to decide on a community organization to donate money to. Each kid, ages ranged from 5 to 13 year olds, brought $10 to the meeting at the Badlands Community Facility and submitted their nominations for a worthy charity. Three were randomly selected, the Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society, the St. Anthony’s Breakfast Program, and Bedrock Play School. The kids whose charity was selected got up and spoke about their charity, and the members voted for one to receive the group’s collective donation.
Paige Swain, 9, a Grade 4 student at St. Anthony's School, nominated Bedrock Play School because she felt the time she spent there prepared her for elementary school.
"Giving back to charity and the community was what I liked," she said.
Town of Drumheller community services coordinator Laura Dougan says the group was thrilled to make the donation and it was good to see students come together to better their community.
“It’s a great way for younger kids to learn leadership skills, research skills, and presenting skills while getting to know more about local charities. They learn how to vote and how, when they pool their money together, they can make a difference,” she says. “The girl whose charity was chosen talked about how Bedrock Play School prepared her for school and all the friends she met there.”
The group plans to meet four times a year, with the next meeting hoped to take place in a Starland County community as they are involved with the Community Building Initiative this program is funded by.
“I’m really excited we had that many kids participate and for the next event we hope to double that amount,” Dougan says.
To sign up to be a member or for more information people can contact Dougan at 403-823-1365 or via email at ldougan@dinosaurvalley.com.
