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Central Saanich school’s fundraiser a success after funds stolen in the past

This year Keating Elementary School’s biennial fundraiser wasn’t so much about raising money as it was about community building.
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Keating Home and School Association members Hilary Fairbank (left) and Naomi Nichol out front of Keating Elementary. They both agreed this year’s Spring Fair was not so much about money as it was about community building. (Alisa Howlett/News staff)

This year Keating Elementary School’s biennial fundraiser wasn’t so much about raising money as it was about community building.

The Spring Fair, which is hosted every other year, was put on hold for three years due to a past criminal incident. The former treasurer of the Keating Home and School Association (KHASA) stole $40,000 – funds from the Spring Fair – and was sentenced this year to three years probation with several conditions, ending a dark chapter for the organization.

Most of the parents of KHASA at the time of the incident are no longer a part of the school’s parents group and new members had to step up and organize this year’s event.

“The focus was to build school spirit again, to make the focus about community and fun and not just about money,” said Hilary Fairbank, Spring Fair co-organizer.

Naomi Nichol, the other fundraiser organizer, added that this year they lowered the price of tickets by $5 and offered a new early-bird price to make it more affordable for families. They also changed the usual Friday evening time to Sunday afternoon.

“We switched to new, fresh ideas for a way to put the negativity behind us. We weren’t looking at it as a stressful way to make funds,” she said.

The last fair was one of the more successful raising around $20,000 for a new playground structure.

After the money was stolen, Peninsula Co-op provided a donation of $30,000 and Garden City Tree and Landscape built the structure at their own expense, worth $40,000.

After this year’s fundraiser the president of KHASA called the Co-op and insisted the parents group repay them.

According to Nichol, Peninsula Co-op refused and suggested the parent’s group do something positive for the community.

Garden City Tree and Landscape is adding finishing touches to the school’s playground structure and will be paid for the rest of their services.

Even though the playground was provided despite the lack of dollars, Fairbank said feelings among the parents group remained guarded.

“There was a lot of guilt. You second guess yourself. This event was to rebuild the trust. It wasn’t about the money. It felt like a big family barbecue,” said Fairbank.

The final tally from the May 7 event isn’t in yet, but both organizers said they’re confident over $10,000 was raised.

Nichol said they only had positive feedback from the Spring Fair and there weren’t any comparisons to past years.

The money raised will go towards Learning Commons enhancement.

This means new furniture for the library space, and new digital tools such as iPads and Google Chrome books.

Fairbank added that the iPads will allow the students another opportunity to learn how to access information, other than the traditional way of books.

Both parents agreed that the new digital tools will also foster inclusion in their child’s education by being able to see what teachers share online without having to come directly to the school.

A meeting between school staff and KHASA is expected to take place next month to see what other needs the money can go towards.

reporter@peninsula

newsreview.com