By Dongyun Kwon
Chum Creek Primary School had a special assembly on Friday 6 September, inviting a Healesville CFA firefighter.
The students passed the $100 donation to the local fire brigade, which they raised throughout their Pyjamas Day event.
Two student captains Violet and Eamon said they wanted to do something meaningful for the local community while having a fun activity.
“We went around to every classroom the day before [the Pyjamas Day] and asked everyone if they could bring a gold coin donation,” Eamon said.
“We raised up to $100.”
Healesville CFA captain Brian Earl said it’s good to see young kids getting behind community organisations.
“It’s really good to see them raise any form of money. A $100 isn’t a super pivotal amount, but it certainly is enough to shift towards some of our bigger projects,” he said.
“It’s more an inspirational thing to see our members being thought of by the younger generations.
“The money is going towards helping our members out for the basic operation of our brigade through the next couple of months, coming into the fire season.”
Chum Creek Primary School students previously had a fundraising event Crazy Socks Day and they donated the funds to Animal Aid, a local animal welfare organisation in Coldstream.
Violet said the students were looking for another place to donate money to after they donated to Animal Aid.
“That’s how we decided to go to CFA because they always help us with bushfires,” she said.
“We would like to give back to them.”
Chum Creek Primary School principal Michael Corr said the school encourages student involvement in the local community including the Anzac Day Service and Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service.
“As principal, I am pleased and proud that they also choose to raise money for local charities such as Animal Aid and the CFA,” he said.
“Our students choose the charities they want to support and I think this reflects their growing pride, interest and commitment to their own community.
“They are learning to be good citizens, supporting and becoming engaged with their community.”
