Frederick Banting Fundraiser

Students and staff kick in funds for next container

The students and staff of Frederick Banting have been busy - finishing up their curriculum and raising much needed funds for Bicycles for Humanity! Encouraged by teacher Joslin Palleck, the students raised a total of $603!

Fundraising activities included a dance show, BBQ, Talent show and selling hand made jewelry from Uganda at a local grocery store.

Most of the funds raised were from the students themselves - B4H is thrilled to have their support!


"On June 24th, Bicycles for HUmanity was invited to Frederick Banting's Graduation and Awards Ceremony, where they gratefully accepted the big check!"


Frederick Banting Alternate Program
written by Amanda Portelli
June 2008

There is a very special project underway at the Frederick Banting Alternate School in Stittsville, one that changing perceptions and connecting the students to a population half a world away - Namibia, Africa.

They are raising money for Bicycles for Humanity, and their goal is to raise over 500 dollars to send to Namibia this term alone.

"We have a ton of different projects on the way, and we've been doing it all year. The first thing we did was a dance, really striving to get the students involved. Then we sent them to grocery stores like the Independent where we're actually selling Bicycles for Humanity merchandise. Students getting together and fundraising that way. We're out there in the community getting stuff done," said Joslin Palleck, a teacher at the school.

Palleck said the school got involved through Ottawa chapter co-founder Seb Oran. She came and did a presentation to all of the staff and teachers.

Although it was the teachers who encouraged the students to start fundraising for Bicycles for Humanity, they quickly ran out of things to do.

That's because the students are now leading the campaign. The students have willingly taken over all of the jobs.

"Students love it, because it's something concrete, you get to see pictures where the bikes go and where the money is going," said Palleck.

Projects have included student versus teacher basketball games, a talent show, a school dance, a barbeque, and even an event where students raised money to shave their heads! All of the proceeds to all of these events went to Bicycles for Humanity. These fundraising events are only half of the story though. Much of the money raised come from the students own pockets. 

"Last week I went out with a few students to the Independent grocery store and we raised $240 from just selling goods. Students are getting really involved, going from class to class raising money," said Palleck.

Students are donating their old bicycles as well.

According to Palleck, the results have been no less than inspiring.

"It's wonderful to see the students acting this way. And they know their helping people who have less than them. The whole school community has really come together," said Palleck.

Since Frederick Banting is an alternative school, it's curriculum and course calendar are different than public or catholic schools in Ottawa. Their courses run on six week intervals, and summer begins at the end of May.

Although summer break has started, Palleck says the school will continue to volunteer with Bicycles for Humanity and encourage its students to get involved once school starts in the fall.

"This is absolutely going to be an ongoing thing. The students can take it on as their own. Bicycles are waiting at their houses to be donated, students are asking how they can help even now in the summer. It's great to see them getting out there and getting involved," said Pallek.

"The project will be bigger and better next year because it will be from the beginning."