December 13, 2010, Ottawa ON — Hopewell Avenue Public School students’ "Me to We Club" wants to help ease the stress of last-minute Christmas shopping while raising funds to build a school in Solio, Kenya.

On Thursday, December 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. the school will host a festive event – a Blizzard Bazaar – designed to showcase student-made crafts, baked goods, cards, jewellery, ornaments, face-painting, singing, and dancing. Funds raised from the community bazaar will go to Elia Saikaly of Finding Life to build a school in Solio, Kenya.

The community event started small and then gained momentum as students, staff, parents, and the neighbourhood came forward with ideas to support the cause. The High Commissioner of Kenya will be on hand to address the gathered community; he is both grateful for the support and impressed with the sense of global responsibility that the students and staff are modelling.

Vice-principal Kim MacDonald says this project is a labour of love – the school bands have been practising, the students have been busy for weeks creating objects of beauty, baking special treats to sell at the craft bazaar, and we have been busy gathering many donations from local businesses for our silent auction. Ms. MacDonald added that the school is simply abuzz with preparations.

The event is open to the media and the public.

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Should you have any questions please contact: Vice- principal Kim MacDonald 613-239-2348 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            613-239-2348      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or Sharlene Hunter, OCDSB Communications and Information Services at 596-8264.