Photo Courtesy: Kathryn Patterson
Interactors Aid Newcomers from Turkey and Syria
District 7080 Interactors are aiding newcomers to Canada from Turkey and Syria, and their efforts are being recognized. Students from Oakville's Iroquois Ridge High School (IRHS) fundraised $900 and presented a cheque reflecting their efforts to The Canadian Red Cross's Patricia Fireman, Branch Coordinator, Community Services Health and Wellness in Burlington.
It is a fitting way to cap off their school year. The funding will be directed to The Red Cross's Restoring Family Links Program -- an initiative to connect displaced families affected by the crises in Turkey and Syria.
The IRHS Interactors successfully applied for a Rotary grant. Grant-writing is a worthwhile skill for anyone, and the Interactors were mentored in this regard by Rotarian Miles Ross, a Rotary District 7080 Interact champion.
This is the second year that the Red Cross has been an Interact Club funding recipient.
The IRHS Interact Club is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oakville West and supported by teacher Kathryn Patterson. The Red Cross project was led by Grade 10 student Layan Aboumar and her Interact team. It is a growing club and currently boasts 60 student members who work together to raise funds, execute projects, and abide by the "Service Above Self" worldview.
The IRHS Interact Club's next aim is to help build a Guatemalan school, with fundraising efforts set to get underway during the 2023-24 school year.
The Rotary Club of Oakville West meets Tuesday mornings. For more information, visit the RCOW website.
Written by Rod McLachlan
Submitted by Susan Sheppard
President, Rotary Club of Oakville West
L-R, Ed Sweeney (RCOW); Aidan Tran, Anunya Kapur, Layan Aboumar, students; Patricia Fireman (Red Cross); Carly Walsh, Nour Qasrawi, students; Kathryn Patterson (teacher), Greg Duffy (RCOW). Photo Courtesy: Kathryn Patterson