西加拿大中学的领导委员会于12月14日结束了为布伦达·斯塔福德中心筹集资金的为期一个月的捐赠树活动。在这一个月里，学生们在学校组织了各种活动，并让当地社区支持那些逃离家庭暴力、本来没有机会过节的家庭。其中一个活动是我们的年度捐赠树比赛，西加中学的八个团队“收养”圣诞树，花费一周时间装饰，然后展示给学校评判。学生们通过捐款投票，走廊里充满了欢乐和颂歌。所有的树和装饰品都由西加中学的领导委员会交付给布伦达·斯塔福德中心，为那些需要额外欢乐的家庭提供支持。学生们有机会见到自己支持的家庭，并发展他们的领导能力。西加中学的校长马丁·普瓦里尔对“我们领导委员会的学生们的工作感到自豪”，并且对“延续这个西加传统”感到兴奋。许多卡尔加里人幸运地有很多庆祝和热爱的假期，普瓦里尔先生提醒我们，“捐赠树活动是一个让我们记住向那些最需要的社区成员分享爱心”的机会。我们的企业赞助商Husky Energy今年首次参加了我们的比赛，我们有幸代表他们额外送出一棵树给Inn from the Cold。我们期待他们成为我们传统的一部分。

这个活动是西加中学最珍贵的传统之一，学生们迫不及待地参加我们的Cookie Bonanza活动，这是学生们装饰自己的糖曲奇饼干、互送糖果手杖邮票，并观看《圣诞怪杰》的特别放映。学生们还竞争看哪个班级能筹集到最多的钱，获胜者将得到一个比萨派对。当地企业也为我们筹集资金，给学生们提供了与社区积极连接的机会。西加的一位12年级学生卢卡斯·C感到，捐赠树是一次千载难逢的机会，因为“这是其他学生没有的机会，对我来说意味着回馈已经为我做了这么多的社区”。今年，学生们筹集了超过4400美元的现金捐款和礼物，他们自豪地能够帮助那些不幸的人们。西加自豪地支持学生们的慷慨，并延续这个卓越的传统。

Western Canada High School’s Leadership Committee wrapped up their month-long Giving Tree campaign to raise funds for the Brenda Stafford Centre on Dec. 14. Over the month, students organized a variety of events in the school and enlisted the local community in support of families who are fleeing domestic abuse and would not otherwise have a chance to celebrate the holidays.

One of the events is our annual Giving Tree competition, where eight teams of WCHS students “adopt” Christmas trees, spend a week decorating them, and display them for the school to judge. The student body votes with donations and the foyer fills with caroling and merriment. All trees and decorations are delivered by the Leadership Committee to the Brenda Stafford Centre for families who need a little extra cheer. Students have the opportunity to meet the families they are supporting and develop their leadership skills. Martin Poirier, Principal at Western Canada High School, is “proud of the work of the students of our Leadership Committee” and is excited to “continue this Western tradition.” Many Calgarians are fortunate to have a lot to celebrate and love about the holidays, and Mr. Poirier reminds us that, “The Giving Tree campaign is an occasion for us to remember to share this love” with the members of our community who need it the most. Our corporate sponsor, Husky Energy, participated in our competition for the first time this year and we had the pleasure of delivering an extra tree to Inn from the Cold on behalf of them. We look forward to them becoming part of our tradition.

This event is one of Western’s most cherished traditions, and students are eager to take part in our Cookie Bonanza, an opportunity for students to decorate their own sugar cookies, send each other Candy Cane Grams, and watch a special screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Students also compete to see which class can raise the most money and the victors receive a pizza party. Local businesses also collect funds for us, and give students a chance to connect with their community in a positive way. Lucas C., a Grade 12 student at Western, feels that the Giving Tree is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity because “it is a chance that no other student really has and, to me means giving back to the community that has already done so much for me.” This year, students raised over $4,400 in cash donations and gifts, and are proud that we have the ability to give back to those less fortunate. Western is proud to support our students’ generosity and to carry on this tradition of excellence.