Clean-up after flooding

Students of Symmes-D’Arcy McGee High School roll up their sleeves to help

On the afternoon of Wednesday, May 17, two busloads of students from Symmes-D’Arcy McGee High School arrived on Fraser Road in the Deschênes district to lend a helping hand to victims of the spring flooding. They worked throughout the area in two groups. One group was moving sandbags from around the properties to the roadside for later collection. They moved approximately 2,250 sandbags, each weighing about 70 pounds.

 

The other group set to work delivering information pamphlets to homes in the area.

The pamphlets were designed by the City and provide residents with details on important steps to take after major flooding. This information is available on the Gatineau City website but Lucerne district councillor Mike Duggan thought that residents would be better served with the information in their mailbox. “We printed 200 in English and 200 in French with a plan to distribute them house to house in the flood zone” said Duggan. On the morning he planned the distribution, he received a call from Symmes-D’Arcy Vice-Principal Constance George informing him that she had a group of students ready to help with any volunteer project for flood victims. “It was a very fortunate coincidence,” said Duggan.

The group consisted of approximately 100 students from all grades who felt that they wanted to help their community. The call to help was put out to students by staff members only the day before and it was received with great positivity. According to staff member Jennifer Piercey, who was helping to haul the heavy load, “It was open to anyone who wanted to pitch in, get involved in the community and help out with the flood. We filled two buses and came out here this afternoon.”

Principal George Singfield was working alongside the youths and encouraged their efforts, saying, “Great stuff, I’m so proud.”  Principal George added that in addiction to their volunteer efforts that day, the students also raised $400 through a one-day fundraiser where they were permitted to wear hats inside the school for a $2 contribution. The money was donated to the Red Cross relief fund for the flood victims.

When asked about his thoughts on the student involvement, Duggan said, “I think it’s important that we show the youth helping and getting recognition.”

A resident of Fraser road said he was very grateful when he learned of the help he would be receiving later that day. “I’m so glad! Really, I was so happy when they told me.”