Sometimes important lessons are learned outside of the classroom.
Armed with buckets and pressure washers, students and staff from Timmins High & Vocational School spent their Saturday volunteering at a fundraising car wash and barbecue.
Funds were collected to help the family of Timmins High student Braedyn Johnstone, who is undergoing cancer treatment.
“The cancer went into remission and came back just recently,” said Greg Vincze, principal of Timmins High. “It was a shock. He was attending school, but then because of the situation he was not attending because he has a lot of hospital visits and treatments to go through.
“We’re standing with the family for sure. We’re going to do our best to help them out.”
He emphasized that the Timmins community is playing a major part in supporting the event.
“We’re just using our facility. The community is the one that’s getting involved and helping out and donating,” Vincze said. “The school is just kind of a vessel for the car wash. We’re happy to do our part.”
The event came together quickly. A similar event held a couple years back collect $12,000 for the family.
“It was very short notice,” he said. “We found out at the school on Monday and started putting the word out. All sorts of companies contacted us. Local businesses donating food, people donating food and money so we could have a
barbecue. Companies donating hand cleaners, all sorts of items for the whole car wash.
“It all came together. There was literally zero cost to set it all up. Everything was donated within three days. We’re super thankful about that.”
With donations covering everything needed, all the funds collected are going to the Johnstones.
“One hundred per cent of everything we raise is going to the family for whatever they need — treatment, accommodations, travel, whatever the case may be,” he said.
The event is also providing an important lesson for students, one Vincze hopes will carry over beyond their school years.
“As a principal of the school, yes, we teach kids the curriculum, that’s our job,” he explained. “But there’s more to life than just that, and that’s what we want to show our students. We’re part of a community. We’re bigger than just a school called Timmins High. We’re part of Timmins. And it’s great to see all the community, the school and businesses come together for one family.
“There are so many more lessons there for our students than what they would learn in the curriculum. It’s about doing something for your fellow student and doing something for your community and being a part of it. You can see the positive reaction from the students who volunteered the whole day to come here.
“It’s very heartwarming.”
If anyone who missed the car wash would like to contribute, donations to help the family will be accepted at the main office of the school all week.
