Bellerose Composite student Connor Gierulski rode a stationary bike in the high school’s annual Bikeathon in memory of his mother who died of cancer five years ago. His teammate Mark Gushue was thinking about his grandparents who both died of the disease. Another student, Erin Richards, told Gazette reporter Doug Neuman she was riding for her grandfather who is currently suffering from the disease, while teacher Jeff Beaton pedalled with memories of his own brush with childhood leukemia and three years of chemotherapy.
Whatever their reasons – and we honour them all – more than 860 students on 79 teams raised more than $300,000 in pledges to help with the battle against cancer. Since the first Bikeathon 12 years ago, the school has raised more than $1.5 million to help fellow Albertans. The Alberta Cancer Foundation says its share of the money will help those on the fifth floor of the Cross Cancer Centre where clinical trials are conducted into promising new treatments. The rest will go to the Kids With Cancer Society to help provide a wide range of services such as support and educational assistance for families blindsided by the disease.
Fortunately in St. Albert, the Bellerose students are not alone. Both upstart and established charity fundraisers take place almost every week. Imagine what Christmas would be like for some without the good work of the Salvation Army or the Kinettes’ hamper drive. Or think about the numerous beneficiaries of the United Way, Rotary clubs or the Kinsmen, who have raised more than $4.5 million since starting its St. Albert chapter more than 50 years ago. And life may not be as fulfilling for some of those in need if smaller groups of citizens, such as the business people behind the St. Albert Community Foundation, didn’t put in the effort to help other small but worthwhile charities to stay in the business of helping others.
The fact that the names of all of these good groups are too long to list in this short space is indicative of the size of St. Albert’s heart. But still, we shouldn’t forget the St. Albert Food Bank, the folks who lifted hammers for Habitat for Humanity, the BAM and SOARing youth groups or the thousands who turn out for the numerous fun runs and walks from the annual Terry Fox event and the Mayor’s Walk, to a small group of students organizing their own walk to raise awareness about slavery in the world. They all care and so should we all.
The fine work of all of these community-minded people deserves plenty of credit, particularly from those who choose to sit on their couches and grumble without lending a badly needed hand to others. In an age where fundraisers often struggle to meet targets, with charity fatigue, or are forced to offer wildly expensive prizes in order to raise badly needed money, Bellerose high’s students deserve a special thank you for their inspiration.
Their successful youthful enthusiasm proves the point that there is so much more to school than the core curriculum of math, English and science. No matter what they choose to do following graduation, these young people have clearly learned that they should care about others. They can make a big difference and be good citizens. And for those lessons, we should all salute their families and teachers.
