A Springbank-based private school for student-athletes is hosting its annual Move Mountains fundraiser this week in support of several of its academic initiatives, including its financial aid program that seeks to alleviate the financial burden felt by many of its students.
Since it began in 2017, the Move Mountain fundraiser – hosted by Edge School – has raised over $406,000 towards numerous initiatives at the school, which offers training in a variety of sports including dance, golf, hockey, soccer, figure skating, and basketball.
“Move Mountains has been our largest fundraiser since around 2017,” said the Edge's CEO and Head of School, Keith Taylor. “In essence, it raises money for various initiatives, including financial aid.”
According to Taylor, funds raised leading up to this year’s annual giving day on April 27 will be allocated towards the school’s financial aid program and the purchase of new modes of transportation.
He added the money will be used to purchase one or more passenger vans, providing additional cargo space and room for passengers, as well as improved safety and reliability.
In previous years, the funds have been used towards updating the school’s Learning Commons, purchasing new equipment for their training centre, new water bottle filling stations, and upgrading both classroom technology and school change rooms.
“Part of the Move Mountains fundraiser for this year will go towards financial aid and replacing our aging van,” Taylor said, adding each year, at least some money is doled out to the financial aid program, of which 30 per cent of students benefit from.
According to Taylor, the program aims to help as many students as possible through its financial aid programming, especially where finances prove to be a barrier to their academic and athletic success.
“An important piece for the school is that we want to make this [financial aid program] available to all students, regardless of their financial situation,” he said.“So, we’ve created an endowment fund at the school, and we raise money to go into [it].
“We provide assistance to families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to attend the school."
He said the school’s financial aid program has been a principal element of the school’s mission since its inception.
“The mission of the school is about building a culture of personal excellence and academics, athletics, and character,” he said. “The whole idea is making the world better by graduating students who aspire to achieve their personal best.
“And so, we want to provide that sort of well-rounded education to as many students as we possibly can. That is why the financial aid program is an important piece of who we are and what we do.”
Taylor said the student body is divided into various “Mountain Teams” in preparation for the fundraiser as part of a friendly competition to see which team can raise the most funds.
“There will be announcements throughout the day and we’re having a dunk tank as well depending on the amount of funds that are raised by a particular student or a team,” he said. “A number of staff members will be available for dunking to add a little bit of fun.”
Taylor added anybody can donate to the Move Mountains fundraiser, whether they are student or a staff member.
“It’s through awareness that we do through our social media, but also our students and their families tapping into their networks as well,” he said.
Those interested in donating to the Move Mountains fundraisers or who want to learn more in advance of giving day on April 27, are encouraged to visit edgeschool.com
