Students at Ashfield Primary School have received funding to plant more garden beds and learn about protecting the environment as a reward for their generosity during a Christmas donation appeal.
The school received a $500 grant as part of Hawaiian’s 2018 Giving Box Appeal. The initiative encouraged local schools, workplaces and shopping centres to donate non-perishable food and gift items to provide assistance to struggling West Australians over the holiday period.
Ashfield Primary School collected the most kilograms of food per student in the area surrounding the Hawaiian’s Bassendean shopping centre.
Students and their families contributed a total of 110kg of food, equating to 198 meals, and 115 gifts for some of WA’s most vulnerable families.
Ashfield Primary School Principal Christiaan Moir said the grant would enable the primary school to continue teaching its students about the importance of environmental sustainability. “Last year, our school community rallied together to redesign the garden bed at the front of the school,” Mr Moir said.
“The Hawaiian grant has allowed us to purchase plants and garden beds to improve the aesthetics of the school grounds and teach our students about the value of the environment and looking after it.”
The grant was awarded as part of the state-wide campaign that saw the West Australian community donate more than 31,148 meals and 11,700 gifts.
Hawaiian’s General Manager, Shopping Centre Suburban Portfolio, Scott Greenwood said 21 schools participated in the 2018 Hawaiian’s Giving Box Appeal.
“The students, staff and families of Ashfield Primary School have made a significant impact on the lives of many West Australians that have been doing it tough, just with their generosity throughout the Giving Box Appeal,” Mr Greenwood said.
“It’s fantastic to know the school’s grant award is being used to build a foundation of respect for the environment within our future leaders. “We wish them all the best with expanding their school gardens and look forward to welcoming their participation in the 2019 Giving Box Appeal.”
Now in its sixth year, the appeal helps charities Foodbank WA and Anglicare WA support local families struggling at Christmas.