Peggy Revell
Students and staff at Fort Frances High School are hoping to rally even more local support for relief efforts in Haiti by throwing a spaghetti dinner fundraiser later this month.
“We just want to raise as much as possible,” Fort High student Jolene Stahn said about the spaghetti dinner slated for Thursday, Feb. 18 from 4-8 p.m. at the FFHS cafeteria.
Funds raised from the dinner will be going towards the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti following the devastating earthquake which hit that country on Jan. 12.
It’s estimated more than 200,000 people died in the earthquake while hundreds of thousands of others have been left without proper food, shelter, and other basic necessities.
While exams put a damper on earlier efforts at Fort High to help raise money for Haiti relief efforts, students from various groups now have banded together to help with the cause, explained Kaila Elders, another student involved with organizing the dinner.
“Right now, our priority is to get as much money raised [through selling tickets] as we can before Feb. 12,” she explained.
“Because [up to] that time, the [Canadian] government is going to match those funds. Whatever we raise . . . after that, they won’t be.
“We think it’s a really important cause and we’re really putting a lot of effort into it, and we hope that [others can] do the same,” added Elders.
“Everyone can give a little,” said Stahn. “If they can’t help in another way, they can donate cash or anything like that.”
Volunteers also are welcome, said Elders, which for students counts towards their community services hours required for graduation.
“It’s not so much about giving but trying to help,” said Kathy Cuthbertson of Kathy’s Catering, who is volunteering to help organize the spaghetti dinner.
“Because they need such a phenomenal amount, this is probably just a drop in the bucket, but it’s the idea that we’re thinking about them,” she reasoned.
The dinner will include spaghetti, Caesar salad, buns, a drink, and dessert. There also will be a silent auction table.
Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 10, which are available at Northwoods Gallery & Gifts on Scott Street and the FFHS cafeteria.
“If anybody knows a high school student, send the money with them because any student can come to the ‘caf’ to get one,” noted Cuthbertson.
“If they don’t want to come, they can still buy a ticket as a donation,” she added.
“Or if they want to donate something for the silent auction—something maybe that they got for Christmas that they’re not going to use, everybody has something like that I’m sure—or crafts.”
Those interested in helping out through making donations or volunteering can contact Cuthbertson at 274-7511.
