KINBURN – It was a mini-convoy of vehicles travelling straight from West Carleton Secondary School (WCSS) to the West Carleton Community Complex bringing a huge donation of clothes and food for two important volunteer groups serving the rural community.

West Carleton’s only high school spent a week hosting a combined food and clothing drive and on March 6, delivered the goods. The clothes were donated to Savvy Seconds and the food donated to the West Carleton Food Access Centre.

“We hosted our Battle of the Grades week, which is a huge spirit week where all the grades compete against one another,” WCSS Student Council co-chair Sam Sharpe told West Carleton Online outside the doors of Savvy Seconds last week. “I feel our students really backed the cause.”

They sure did. It took four students, three large vehicles and a few extra volunteers to help unload the haul.

WCSS council member Alicia Briggs feels the fact so many students saw first hand the fallout from last fall’s tornado, really helped the commitment to giving.

“We were right in the middle of it,” Briggs said. “Several of our peers were really affected. After a few months the discussion is not as loud as it once was. So, we thought now was a good time to help.”

By the end of the week, student volunteers had collected thousands of dollars in clothes and food.

“We have a lot of bags,” council co-chair Sylvia Qi said. “We needed an entire junior volleyball team to help carry it out.”

Or about 500 pounds of clothing for those who don’t know how much clothes an entire volleyball team can carry.

“I’m so proud of you guys,” Savvy Seconds’ Vera Jones said. “This is the time we need it. It takes about a year just to find out what you’ve lost. You have to go through all the seasons. We need to help take the financial pressure off. These students are our future leaders. It is so great to see how much they care about their community.”

The students also wanted to thank Earl of March High School in Kanata. The school provided a lot of support, feedback and guidance while organizing the event.

“A lot of us graduate this year, but we are hoping this becomes a tradition,” Briggs said.