Cameron Crossing School in Okotoks was paid a visit by 100 Women Who Care Foothills last week.

The group makes quarterly donations to local organizations and non-profits, selected by vote. Members then contribute $100 each, which is forwarded to the chosen organization.

In this case, Cameron Crossing was the recipient of $10,530.

The school, located just East of the Okotoks Library on South Railway Street, provides accommodation to students whose needs aren't met in traditional school settings.

Marilyn Boake, the member who nominated the school to receive the donation, knows what it's like to have to fill a gap in funding.

"We were talking about the fact that this school doesn't have a parent council fundraising society, which really, as a person who was a parent council chairperson for 12 years, I understand that that's your only ability to raise money for things that the government doesn't pay for. When I heard about that, it just really struck me, that 'How are you paying for these things?' Jeff said 'Well, we don't.'"

Principal Jeff Mason says Alberta Education's funding only goes so far.

"Lots of our kids have been disconnected from our community for a variety of reasons, so this is a means for us to reconnect them. There's a funding gap because Alberta Ed funds the education side of things but doesn't fund all the other pieces that our students are in need of. Whether it's getting to and from different volunteer operations, staying well and connecting in the community through physical wellness or mental wellness. So that's the intent of that, is to bridge the gaps that are missing for our students and some of our families."

Some of those opportunities include volunteering with the Okotoks Food Bank, seniors lodges, and the United Church lunch program, thus creating social connections between individuals and the greater community.

Their proximity to the river valley is also an asset in that regard, providing a great space for students to connect with the town's natural spaces; an asset they won't be losing when they move into their new learning space later this year.

Cameron Crossing currently has 15 students, though their imminent move to their new campus in the building currently housing the Okotoks library will allow them to double that.

100 Women Foothills have now been able to contribute a few consecutive donations over $10,000 despite their number of members not quite having reached 100 as of yet.

They are edging ever closer though, having recently hit 98.

 

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