At the beginning of the school year, the Chestermere High School student government laid out their plans for how they wanted to become involved with the community. One of these ideas was to partake in the Room-In-Box initiative. Room-In-A-Box was started after Tamara Carmell’s cousin’s house in High River was flooded. At this point, Carmell decided to put together a box filled with different materials that her cousin needed. From this point the idea expanded, which has created the goal of the charity; to create a box of necessities for each room of a house affected by the destruction caused by the southern Alberta floods. An assembly was held during semester one of this year, in which student government brought Carmell out to the school in order to educate the kids about the charity and how they could help. At this time, the Room-In-A-Box initiative is being completely organized by the students involved in student government, under the leadership of grade 12 student Miriam Robak. Although the fine details are still being worked out, the message is very clear: get the word out to the community in order to receive the maximum potential of help towards this cause. “It’s easy for members at the school to feel isolated because of our location,” says Robak, which is the biggest reason for them wanting to branch out to the community. It’s been nine months since the southern Alberta floods decimated homes, businesses, towns, and everything else that was caught in the way of their paths. Although many were fortunate to move back in to their homes, many more are still trying to pick up the pieces. Through the help of Room-In-A-Box, people have the chance to donate new and or gently used items that could essentially refurnish a certain room of a house. An example of items you could donate are dishes, mugs, dishcloths, pots and pans, utensils, cooking supplies, cleaning supplies, toiletry items, bedding and sheets, as well as toys and books. The possible rooms that you could help furnish with these materials kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Although the student government would like to wrap up donations being dropped off at the school by May 10th, 2014, so that they have time to personally deliver the items, the general public is able to donate materials at any time at any of these locations:
Maclin Ford: 135 Glendeer Circle S.W.
8:30-9:00 Monday-Thursday, 9-5 Friday and Saturday
LA-ZBoy Furniture: 7300-11 Street SE
Monday–Friday 10-9, Saturday 10-6, Sunday 11-5
Here’s The Scoop: Bay 402-2903 Kingsview Blvd, Airdrie
Monday-Friday 9-4
If you have more questions pertaining to Chestermere High School’s involvement with the Room-In-A-Box initiative, or would like to set up a time for drop off at the school, please contact Miriam Robak at miriamrrobak@rvschools.ab.ca.
