Grade 3 student at Adamsdale donates $500 to help build well in Africa

Adamsdale Public School Principal Chris Bourré congratulated Grade 3 student Garyson Benoit who presented a $500 donation to teacher Stephanie Brunette to help build a well in Africa. The entire student body cheered as Garyson demonstrated the meaning of "touching hearts"!

He may be only 8 years old, but Garyson Benoit is a little boy with a very big heart.

When he arrived at school today, he came bearing an impressive gift – a donation of $500 for the Me to We Club at Adamsdale Public School.

Mom Lynsey Benoit says her son saved the money from his allowance and birthdays and wanted to give back to a bigger cause. “I’m really proud of my little boy,” she said.

A tearful teacher, Stephanie Brunette, accepted the donation at a special school assembly in the gym this morning as the entire student body looked on. The magnitude of the donation hit home for students when Principal Chris Bourré told them what $500 could buy, including 3 iPod nanos, 4 bicycles, 10 skateboards and 100 Bakugan battle brawlers!

“Everywhere I go, I just like to make people smile,” said Garyson, in making the donation. He added: “I like to see people happy, especially in Africa because they don’t have clean water or toys or anything we have here.”

Mrs. Brunette, Garyson’s Grade 3 teacher, along with the Me to We Club, set a fundraising goal at the beginning of the year of $2,000 to help build a well in Africa. The funds are destined for Ryan Hreljac’s Ryan’s Well Foundation.

“This donation, along with a recent bake sale, will bring us well within reach of our target and may even put us over the top,” said Principal Bourré, noting that the Me to We Club has hosted hat days, sold valentine’s candy grams and gone door-to-door caroling at Christmas to help raise money.

He added: “The importance of being world citizens and giving back to our community and to others is a life lesson everyone is taking to heart. We welcomed the opportunity to celebrate Garyson Benoit’s generosity of spirit with students, staff, his family and the community at large.”

-30-

Media Contact:

Chris Bourré, Principal, Adamsdale Public School
Rainbow District School Board, 705.566-6020.