Adopt-A-School program donates record-setting $567K to support Surrey students in need
From left, Vancouver Sun reporter Gerry Bellett, Vancouver Sun Children's Fund Society fund administrator Michelle Roebuck and board member Gillian Shaw, Business Development manager Laura Lukey, and Surrey Board of Education Chair Laurie Larsen. This year, the fund's Adopt-A-School program raised $567,600 for students in need in Surrey schools.
The Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund’s Adopt-A-School program is providing a staggering $567,600 to Surrey Schools to support students in need, a record-setting amount from the longstanding donor to the district.
At the March 13 public Surrey Board of Education meeting, Laura Lukey, manager of Business Development with the Advancement department, shared news of the program’s generous donation, the biggest in the fund’s 13-year partnership with Surrey Schools. The department submitted 59 funding requests to the Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund – up from 49 the previous year – to secure the largest annual contribution to date.
“Their unwavering commitment has been instrumental for our district with a focus on ensuring the basic needs of our students are met,” said Lukey. “This will without a doubt make a lasting impact on the lives of hundreds of students as this donation allows children and families to focus on learning, growing, and playing rather than food and clothing.”
The annual campaign supports students whose families may not be able to afford certain costs or even groceries, by gathering donations for meal programs, clothing, hygiene items, grocery gift cards, field trips and extracurricular activities. In recent years, cost of living and inflation for essentials has created mounting challenges for families, and many schools rely on the fund for additional support.
Vancouver Sun reporter Gillian Shaw thanked the Surrey Board of Education, principals, teachers and district staff for identifying the needs of students throughout Surrey and White Rock and sharing their stories. She acknowledged many families are struggling in the current economy and she’s grateful for the support that donors are able to provide from hearing the stories of families throughout the district.
“Our donors are very happy to support Surrey and other school boards around British Columbia,” said Shaw. “On behalf of them, I thank you for the recognition for everything they’ve done and we really look forward to continuing this relationship. We couldn’t do anything that we do without the help of the people in your district.”
“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Gillian and everyone from the Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund for their support of students in Surrey,” said board Chair Laurie Larsen. “I know that they have been a longstanding supporter, and we truly appreciate the tireless work on behalf of our learners each year.”
