Nobody Project creates lasting impression with students

Grade 5 students at Barrhaven Public School are doing whatever they can to turn nobodies into somebodies.

Led by French immersion teacher Michelle Casimir, the students started a campaign through the Nobody Project to raise money in support of Abbie Jarvis, a special needs student who died last November

“I suggested to the class, ‘Why don’t we have a coin drive for the Down Syndrome Association?’” Casimir said. “That’s what the kids did. They had announcements and then we did the coin drive for about a week. Then collected all the coins, counted all the coins, and donated $918.16 to the Down Syndrome Association.”

The kids have really taken off with this project, I think it’s fantastic for them to get involved with the community and do things for others— Michelle Casimir, teacher

A cheque was presented to association board member Jay Innes along with Abbie’s mother Kelly in attendance on Jan 19.

In addition, each child was given the opportunity to carry out a unique individual fundraising project.

Children picked an organization that was relevant to them or family and raised money through bottle drives or by going door-to-door. Charitable organizations included the Cardiac Institute, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Humane Society.

“The kids have really taken off with this project,” Casimir said. “I think it’s fantastic for them to get involved with the community and do things for others.”

Nobody Project creates lasting impression with students. Barrhaven Public School Grade 5 student Alex Bhend shows off the Nobody doll that the children take home while completing their individual fundraising venture. In addition, Alex and the rest of his classmates raised $918.16 for the Down Syndrome Association

More information about the Nobody Project can be found at www.whoisnobody.com.

This article was published in the Nepean This Week Newspaper on March 10th 2010