R.I. Baker cares for the community project

By Stan Ashbee
Sunny South News

As R.I. Baker Middle School in Coaldale navigates through this school year, it is easy for students and staff to focus on the things that can no longer be done.

“We are choosing to focus on some things we can do to make our community a better place. We want to give back to the town we live in. For the rest of the school year we would like to do our part in recognizing our glass may be half-full, but there is room to add to it,” it was stated in a recent media release.

During the next few weeks, it was noted in the media release, the Palliser school has made it their collective project to bring the community even closer together and fill the buckets of others.

“Our goal is to help locals thrive during a time where it is sometimes difficult to. This is a community challenge – let’s rise up and do our part on these five special days,” it was stated.

On Apr. 28, the Baker-fly Effect was held.

Baker publicly-challenged community members to make another human happy on this day. This could have been in the form of: kind words, a helping hand, a gift of thanks, helping a community member in need or any random act of kindness.

“We ask our community to spend this day taking care of each other in all ways possible. One day can make many future days different. We will have an online forum on our website to anonymously celebrate the great ideas and acts of kindness that take place. Our hope is one day may turn into more. If someone makes your day – pay it forward,” it was stated in the media release.

May 13 – Community Clean-up On this day, the entire school will do its part to help make the town a better place. Each class in the school will have a dedicated area of the town to clean up.

“We challenge other community members to get outside and do the same. If we all put in a small amount of time and effort we can make a big difference. Let’s see what we can do Coaldale,” it was stated.

May 25 – Baker Online Art Auction to Support Local Businesses Student art will be polished, framed and put up for auction online. R.I. Baker will take the winning bids from each piece and purchase a gift card from a local business with 100 per cent of the funds. Auction winners will get to have a local student piece of art, as well as a local gift card to spend.

“It is a win-win-win,” it was stated. June 7 – Local Hero Drive-thru On this day, RIBMS will hold a drivethru from 5-7:00 p.m. Any Coaldale community member can drive through the school’s bus loop, pick up a hot dog and chips to go and receive a Local Hero Card. Visitors will get a barbecue meal, accompanied with a student celebrated local hero to learn about.

“Meals and cards will be prepared and packaged in a sanitized and COVID-friendly way,” it was stated in the media release.

June 21 – Eat Lunch Local Challenge “In lieu of our postponed annual Turkey Dinner, R.I. Baker Middle School will support local restaurants by feeding our entire school through local businesses only. We understand how restrictions have made a huge impact on our local establishments. We would like to do our part to help,” it was stated.

On this day, students will enjoy lunch from local restaurants and the school challenges all Coaldale residents to do the same.

“Let’s all eat great food and make someone’s day,” it was noted.

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