Former general of the U.S. army General George S Patton who can be remembered for his innovative leadership during the Second World War once said "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with theiringenuity."
The general was right, as this was the case at Manor School on Friday Sept. 27. The entire school gathered to complete two laps around the town for this year's Terry Fox Run. But the highlight of the day was the pie challenge. This was the school's way to get the students to raise money for cancer. This was ingenuity at its best because for every $50 each child could raise, they'd get the opportunity to through a pie at a teacher. An interesting concept as it provided great laughter at the expense of some willing teachers who took pies in face. The humorous moments yielded $4,942. Administrative assistant at Manor school and organizer of the event Theresa Fox said it was a way to get students more involved.
"We just thought we wanted to try something new and different and maybe get more students involved. In the past we've done- if the school met a certain goal, they'd get to dress the staff and go for a walk around town," she said.
Fox said as a result of the schools declining enrollment they weren't able to meet their goal of $5000 last year but admitted they did come very close. She said she was shocked at how close they came to the target but said this year more students got involved.
"We did get more kids raising money kids that have never raised money before actually did raise money this year because they wanted to throw that pie, so it was good," she said.
Since 1981 millions of Canadians have taken to the streets in September to run in the name of cancer research. The Terry Fox Run is a Canadian tradition, synonymous with Canadian values steeped in the core of what many consider a true representation of a charity. Fox said the charity carries great meaning for Manor School because there are cases at the school and since 2005 the school has raised $32,618.
"For a small school we have raised a lot of money in a few years, I think it has hit home in our community,"she said.
"We have a student here that's been taking treatment so I think it's more close to home, we also had a former staff member , it just an important cause."