Student Activism for the Environment

The CMA Activism Club just held the 2nd Annual Eco Auction at the Brackendale Art Gallery to raise funds for the David Suzuki Foundation. On the surface participants likely noted an auction full of enticing items and an event full of fun, but there is so much more to know about the evolution of this event and the club.

The Activism Club started 3 years ago with an intent to make CMA a more environmentally friendly school by educating students about sustainable practices. Club members quickly figured out that announcements at Parliament were not the most efficient way to make change! In their second year, club members decided to raise funds for an environmental organization they felt was making real change and decided on the David Suzuki Foundation. The Eco Auction was born and in the first year the club raised $2010.00.

This year, club members Chloe and Ella took charge and decided to run the Eco Auction to support the David Suzuki Foundation again but this time the goal was to raise $5,000.00. These two dedicated students started approaching businesses for auction item donations back in December and report they sent over 160 emails to businesses asking for support. They soon discovered that local businesses are much more likely to donate, and even more likely when you visit them in person. Chloe and Ella visited 60 local businesses and in one case a customer in the store emptied his pockets of $14.75 to give them a donation on the spot!

Having raised 105% of their goal, Activism Club members report that they are very proud of themselves and happy with the turnout at their event.