CANORA - Anyone who was driving along the streets of Canora during the morning of Oct. 20 probably saw hardworking groups of Canora Composite School students, seemingly around every corner, raking and bagging leaves.
Leona Kitchen, teacher, said the school wanted to take school time for the project during Education Week, which ran from Oct. 17 to 21.
“This is a great way for our students to give back to the community, as well as take responsibility for making our community look great,” shared Kitchen. “We received very positive feedback from the residents. I know they enjoy seeing students out and about, doing good deeds for others.”
Among the comments the students heard from homeowners who had their yards raked was, “This is wonderful what you guys are doing, it’s just what we needed. Thank you so much.”
Kitchen said in order to be as efficient as possible, the morning’s work was co-ordinated with the Town of Canora, as in the past.
“We ran an ad in The Canora Courier, and residents of Canora could call the Town Office and request their yard to be cleaned. Then Brandi Zavislak, community development officer, relayed all the addresses to CCS and the students supplied the labour.”
After the requests from homeowners were looked after, the students still had time to do some more raking and bagging.
“So we decided to add Gateway Lodge, Cummings Court, Park Place, Canora RCMP detachment, Main Street, and King George Park to our list,” reported Kitchen. “All students in grades 5 to 12 participated in this Pay It Forward activity.”
“We are looking forward to next year, and are already thinking of different ways to get the word out, so more residents of Canora can take advantage of our Community Clean Up.”
