Members of Langley Christian High School’s community went for a group walk before dousing themselves in chilly water Wednesday afternoon.
And they did it for well-loved teacher Dave Alexander, and the many others living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
The school’s Walk for ALS and Ice Bucket Challenge was a huge success, raising $7,826 for the cause.
The Walks for ALS give participants the chance to raise funds and awareness for those living with ALS and their families. Leading up to the event, walkers collect pledges from family, friends, and colleagues who wish to sponsor them.
Visit www.walkforals.ca.
Langley Christian High School students Nathan Earle and Rio Barendregt organized the fundraiser. Earle said the intention was about raising awareness about the disease and “helping people defeat it.”
The amount of funds raised was “way more” than anticipated, Earle said. “We expected, at the most, $5,000.”
“It’s fantastic,” he added. “It’s great to see everyone working together like this.”
“The Walk for ALS across Canada is the signature event to raise awareness and funds for patient services for people living with ALS, and the Canadian ALS Research Program,” says Wendy Toyer, executive director of the ALS Society of BC. “The impact is twofold; aside from raising funds and awareness, this event empowers people affected by ALS — the patients, families, friends, caregivers, and health care professionals — to take back some of what ALS has taken away.”
Proceeds from the Walk for ALS go to the ALS Society of BC to provide support for people living with ALS and to invest in research to make the disease treatable not terminal.
Leaders of Tomorrow
Students from Langley Christian School received the Leaders of Tomorrow Award (ages 14-17) award from the ALS Society of BC at the ALS Volunteer Awards Ceremony held on April 4 at the Quilchena Golf & Country Club in Richmond.
The students’ volunteerism began when Earle and vice principal Val Jarvie contacted ALS BC.
In support for beloved band teacher, Dave Alexander, who had recently been diagnosed with ALS, a Walk for ALS was coordinated at the school.
Up to 1,000 people, both students and faculty were registered to participate. T-shirts were also made, which were designed by student Nicole Dietrich.
As a grand finale for the walk, an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was arranged by students Carissa McCarthy, April Jeske, Micaila Hedd, and Logan Dowie.
And this past winter, a week-long event was also held by Langley Christian School’s junior boys basketball team, “Get Buckets for ALS,” where they spent lunch hours shooting free throws.
The event raised over $2,000 in donations.
“This event was an opportunity for us to serve the community, as one of our core values is servant hood,” the team’s coach Jon Mayan said. “We wanted to link basketball into a fundraiser that would engage the student body, and it was successful because of how simple and easy it was for everyone to get involved. We all share a love for Mr. Alexander, so that connection to someone important at the school allowed people to understand the reason for this fundraiser.”
“When I walked through the doors of Langley Christian School to meet with the students, I felt embraced by the positive energy,” Toyer said. “The environment that exists within the walls of this school is the perfect setting to develop leaders of tomorrow. In fact, they are leaders today.”
Alexander attended Wednesday’s fundraiser and was floored by the support.
“I feel like I’m the most blessed man alive,” Alexander said. “I’m just kind of shaking with excitement. I don’t even have words for it. Why all these people would come together and do this and support me like this when there are so many amazing teachers here, too, and colleagues that I have been working with for years, here. For me, this is really special.”
The Leaders of Tomorrow Award recognizes youth and young adults under the age of 25 who, as part of a group, make a difference in the lives of those living with ALS through their volunteer efforts. This award recognizes initiatives or efforts undertaken in the previous calendar year in support of ALS including fundraising, advocacy, public awareness, or going above and beyond to care for an individual living with ALS by providing assistance, companionship, and support.
