Reflections of Havergal: 1994-2019

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The Spirit of Giving Torch , Spring 2000 By Kayan Poon and Katie Beadon, 1999-2000 Community Service Prefects

Havergal fosters a strong, student-driven community service program The purpose of Havergal’s community service program is to raise students’ awareness of the greater community in need and to help students make a positive contribution to that community. We hope that participation in fund raising events and volunteer activities will enable students to carry the spirit of giving with them throughout their lives. ln keeping with th is year’s school motto, ‘99 to 2’ Navigate the New, Havergal’s community service program has expanded to new horizons. Community service activities are organized through Houses, clubs and the Community Service Council and students play a large role in choosing and organizing community service activities. We started off the year with several events including the Terry Fox Run, Run for the Cure, and the CN Tower Stairclimb, and ended first term with another successful Christmas Hampers Program, and A-Week, a spirit week supporting both the Christmas Angels Program and Aids Week. Students have also participated in activities from serving food at homeless shelters to interacting with disabled young children. Celebration Day in October saw th e entire Havergal community come together to raise an all time record of over $40,000 for the United Way. Our students were presented with the Spirit Award, a prize recognizing the high school campaign which raises the most support and awareness for the United Way. In February, Havergal students organized the Musical Junkyard

site at Toronto Winterfest. This free event brings together the greater Toronto community and provides rides, concerts, and lots of fun for families across the city. More than fifty Havergal students helped children of all ages to play ‘instruments’ (Rubbermaid containers and utensils of all shapes and sizes) in a Stomp-like frenzy that lasted for two full days. As part of our goal to foster a strong community service program, the OAC computer class created a computerized data base for students to browse through information on a variety of community agencies and search for volunteer opportunities that suit them. In addition, the database is a useful tracking tool for Teacher Advisors, who can access and update student community service records. Community service is now mandatory for Grade 9 students, however, it is apparent that Havergal’s commitment to our community goes much deeper than that. We will continue to strengthen our bonds with agencies such as the United Way, and hope to form new alliances so that Havergalians will always have many important opportunities to give back to those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

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