Donald Teuma-Castelletti
CAMPBELL’S BAY
April 22, 2018
A breakfast at the elementary school in Campbell’s Bay sought to finish off the year’s fundraising efforts, as it affords the children end-of-year trips across all the grades.
With pancakes, baked beans and sausage all on deck, hungry folks filled up the dining area at St. John’s Elementary School on Sunday, as families from across the Pontiac ventured out in support of the kids.
“We’ve had people here from Chapeau to Shawville,” said Kelly McMahon, an organizer and parent on the school’s governing board.
Starting their set-up at 6:30 a.m., parent volunteers and school staff started welcoming their diners at eight and flipped flapjacks right through till 11 a.m.
However, it wasn’t just the adults running the show here, as a group of student volunteers ran about and did their part, too.
“They have been doing a little bit of everything,” said McMahon, listing their duties as serving, cleaning, helping with the cash desk and doing the dishes.
For the group of student volunteers, they were certainly earning their school trips, which will see three age groups attend different activities.
Students from grade one will be attending Fun Junction in Gatineau, while the grades two and three kids will visit Logos Land Resort in Cobden. That leaves the grades four through six, who will have their big trip to Mont Cascades in Cantley.
Treating all 117 children, this final fundraiser will help cover the buses and admission fees, making the trips entirely free for everyone, according to Principal Lorianne Bertrand.
Bertrand said that this fundraiser finishes off their year’s various efforts, including the Christmas concert and hot lunches served at the school. She was quick to point out that the morning’s success was thanks to the parent committee, and donations from parents.
“A lot of this food is donated by staff and parents, to help keep costs down,” said Bertrand.
McMahon and Bertrand said that the morning had seen a steady turnout of diners, and not just from families of current students.
“A lot of community members whose kids have grown-up are out supporting this,” said McMahon.
Though, they feel pretty confident that the return of warmer temperatures helped out with their success.
“I think the sun really helps,” said Bertrand, with a laugh.
