FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2005

Caring school communities raise $46,000 for tsunami relief
Caring students, staff and parents in the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board responded to the need for financial aid by raising $46,000 for tsunami disaster relief for Southeast Asia.

Fundraising efforts throughout January and into February included activities such as bake sales, dance- and read-a-thons, donating proceeds from lunch sales, selling bricks, hosting coffee houses, and even saw children empty their piggy-banks to donate loose change.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, thank you for your thoughtfulness and generous donations to this global humanitarian crisis,” remarks Judy Edgar, Chair of the Board. “All of your efforts continue to demonstrate why the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board is A Great Place to Learn and A Great Place to Work!”

Each school community decided which organization to donate funds to, with the Canadian Red Cross and UNICEF being the main recipients. Both agencies have many years of experience in providing assistance to worldwide causes.

Many school communities are continuing their fundraising efforts until the end of this school year.

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has 54 schools serving 18,400 students, employing 1,070 teachers and 705 support staff. The Board covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south, and Quinte West to the west.

For information, contact:
• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, (613) 966-1170, or 1 800 267-4350 ext 2354