SCAP students raise over $8,200 for famine relief

Ken Johnston
Editor

Many people will get relief from the money raised by the students of Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program (SCAP) in Stratton on April 12-13th.
Some 45 students and guests managed to raise $8,260.67 in the World Vision 30 Hour Famine. Teacher and coordinator Norma Sullivan said that she is very pleased with the total raised especially since it is up from last year and the number of participants was down. “Every one of the five years I have been involved with this we have seen the total raised go up.” While the bar keeps getting raised and she expects it to top out, “I am pleasantly surprised each year when the total comes in up from the previous year.” Last year just over $7,500 was raised.
Students had to raise a minimum of $75 to participate in the 30 Hour Famine. While some just barely raised that amount, there were several students and a guest who were stellar in their efforts. Susanne Brielmann raised over $900, Danielle Vander Wekken (a guest) raised over $800 and both Hannah Firth and Bethany Friesen raised over $500 each.
The participants journeyed to Rainy River where they used the Covenant Church and the Rainy River High School gymnasium as home bases. The famine began at 12:15 p.m. on the 12th and ended at 8 p.m. on the 13th.
They played several sports in the gym and also had a fun picture scavenger hunt. “Disposable cameras were handed out and the students were sent out into the community to scavenge for pictures.” They had to get a photo of themselves with a stranger and make letters or words out of people and bring the pictures back. They also travelled to Baudette to swim for three hours. “We create a full slate with something new each year,” said Sullivan.
On the evening of the 12th they also had a special guest, Chris Kopera from the Fort Frances Covenant Church. He spoke at an evening praise and worship service.
Sullivan said that everyone adhered to the famine side of the event and drank only juices low in sugar and chewed sugarfree gum for 30 hours. After it was all done they had a huge sub-sandwich feast to celebrate.