A world vision for students

Cookstown Central Public School librarian Beth Allen, left, prepares to shave the mustache of principal Chris Photo by Chris Simon Russell recently, as Grade 4 student Kelsey Behan holds a World Vision collection container. Hundreds of Cookstown area students have gained a world of vision, and all it cost was a mustache.

Over the last few weeks, Cookstown Central Public School students raised about $2,800 for various programs organized by the charity World Vision. Each class chose a program to raise money for, and set an appropriate fundraising target, said teacher librarian Beth Allen.

"We decided every class would set their own goal. Some of the students had great ideas," she said. "It's been very interesting to see them learn about setting realistic goals, and the work it takes to meet them."

Students raised funds for a variety of programs, including the purchase of goats and chickens for impoverished families, and the distribution of seeds to communities throughout the Third World.

As part of the commitment, principal Chris Russell agreed to shave his mustache in front of the classes that reached their goals. So about 300 students watched Russell nervously allow children and staff near his face with an electric razor last week.

The shave gave the children an extra push to raise the money, said Allen.

"All of the classes that met their goal came down to the gym and watched him get his mustache shaved off," she said. "Some actually exceeded their goals."

World Vision also supplied the school with DVDs, classroom activities and information on its various programs, and the importance of helping impoverished people throughout the world. That way, the students learn about helping the needy, said Allen.

"They actually send out an information package," she said. "I did pretty much every grade; we gave them a presentation on it. It's pivotal to getting a really good fundraiser going. It's really obvious when you see these DVDs how different the lives are. It gives them a real perspective on how fortunate we are."

The school has also donated to World Vision in previous years, raising money to purchase a stable full of animals and a portion of a water well. For more information on World Vision, visit www.worldvision. ca.