Skip to content

Warming hearts, filling bellies

An annual effort to help fill the tummies of less fortunate students at a north Surrey elementary school has raised about $1,200.
34467whiterockbreakfastclub
(Left to right) Sherri Fostvelt

An annual effort to help fill the tummies of less fortunate students at a north Surrey elementary school has raised about $1,200.

Organizers of the Winter Warmup event, held Nov. 17 in South Surrey, said the total fell short of their $2,000 goal, but they are hopezzful word of the cause will inspire further donations.

"We still have a ways to go," said Tania Dusevic. "We are hoping that some more donations will come in."

In its third year, the Winter Warmup – an evening of soup-making and fundraising – got its start from a group of friends talking over coffee about the need to do "something" for others, Dusevic said. They agreed whatever it was should benefit children.

First considering a focus on children in Africa, they decided their energies could make an equally important impact closer to home.

A school was identified with help of Surrey School District officials, and a visit with staff, teachers and volunteers was arranged. Dusevic said the principal told her, Sherri Fostvelt, Kristy Davis and Lara Mullin that a Breakfast Club at the school fed 30 to 40 students who arrived for class hungry every day. It's led by a childcare worker and supported by volunteers and local firefighters, who help out by supplying dry goods such as granola bars, oatmeal and cereals.

Learning there was little budget for perishables, the women knew where they wanted to help.

Winter Warmup's first year raised more than $2,200 – enough to buy perishables for the Breakfast Club until the end of the school year. Last year, $1,300 was raised.

Dusevic is hoping donations after the fact will help push this year's total closer to $2,000.

Those wanting to pitch in are asked to make cheques out to W.E. Kinvig Elementary and mail them to Tania Dusevic, c/o 7550 Rosewood St., Burnaby, BC V5E 3Z3. For more information, call 604-506-2865.

- Tracy Holmes