June 26, 2012

A Rock, Paper, Scissors event held at White Oaks Secondary School (WOSS) recently raised more than $8,000 to help a build girls-only high school in Kenya named Oleleshwa, as part of Free The Children.

Called The Power of One, students from 18 public schools, plus superintendents and Board trustees participated May 14. Rock, paper, scissors is a decades-old traditional hand game played by two people in which they throw down the shape of a rock, paper or scissors after the count of three.

The event was organized by White Oaks Secondary School’s Free the Children Committee and the newly formed Power Of One Committee.

“We were very pleased with how the event went,” said WOSS Teacher Patty Toohy. “All the feedback I received was positive and the schools indicated they would like to do it again. Schools that weren't involved this year asked to be involved next year.” 

A highlight of the event was Free The Children co-founder Craig Kielburger attending the event and guest refereeing. When he was introduced and called to the WOSS stage, he said this was one of the most creative fundraising events he’d ever been a part of.

“To have Craig Kielburger come to White Oaks and show his support was definitely the icing on the cake. The WOSS Free the Children Committee worked for two years to get a visit from Craig and we are only sorry that more students from White Oaks weren't able to come to the event and hear him speak,” said Toohy. “For him to describe our event as ‘the wackiest, most wonderful, most fun fundraiser ever’ was very high praise. More important was to hear Craig speak about how we will be helping young girls transform their lives and the ripple effect it will have through their communities and country.”