Immaculate Conception School fundraises each year with a number of different events, all of which serve to support the programs and/or improve the equipment we can offer our students.

Walkathon
Each fall, usually in late September, students participate in our annual Walkathon, sponsored financially by the pledges of family, parishioners and friends. Pledges are made to IC Parish as the registered charity able to issue tax receipts for the donation pledges. A portion of the monies raised by this 10 km walk, are sent overseas to two parish schools that ICS supports, in Vietnam and in Haiti. Beyond that, Walkathon funds are used to fund a small-scale capital improvement or equipment purchase for the school, and the rest goes to general revenue.

Hot Lunch
Our monthly Hot Lunch program serves mainly as a treat for our students and a lunch-making break for our parents. The funds raised by this program contribute helpfully to the school’s general operating revenue.

Christmas Fair
ICS parents host an old-fashioned community Christmas Fair each year, with children’s games and crafts, basket raffles, luncheon, silent auction, bake sale and more. This fun community Christmas event held early in Advent is appreciated by students, parishioners, and neighbouring families alike. As well, the Christmas Fair is important to the school as the fairly consistent funds raised are relied upon for general operating revenue in support of the school budget.

Annual School Fundraising Gala
Each spring IC School hosts one major fundraising event to raise money toward a specific prioritized school need. Some recent examples are:
2005 – Fill the Gym Party to purchase equipment for our new gym, stage and music room
2007 – The Computer Drive to fund the purchase of a new laptop computer lab
2008 – The Spring Fling to pay for our new play climbing structure

These events have varying formats, such as silent auction and party, dinner dance with fundraising party activities, live auction and direct contribution toward specific purposes. Parents in all grades work together to organize and host the event, then all parents, family and friends come together to enjoy an evening of fun and fundraising for the students of ICS.

Grade 6 Fundraising for Outdoor Education
Each year the current Grade 6 class parents plan and host a number of fundraising events aimed at raising 30% of the total cost of the Outdoor Education Program attended in their child’s Grade 7 year. This Grade 6 Class fundraising is achieved through the year by such school activities as bake sales and frozen pie sales, additional Subway lunch sales, movie nights, and spaghetti dinners. The school’s Gift Wrap sale each fall, though recently run by PPP volunteers from other grades as suits them, also supports Grade 6 fundraising. All Grade 6 parents are required to participate in these events to the best of their abilities.

Matching Gifts Programs
ICS is very appreciative of the parents who take advantage of Matching Gift programs offered through their employer. Donations already made by parents at registration time, toward the Capital Maintenance Fund and to Gym Financing, both qualify for “matching” donations offered by numerous company programs. Please enquire with your employer, request and complete the appropriate forms, and mail them in with attached donation receipt. More information and the receipts are available through school office.

All of these fundraising activities are instrumental in the optimal financial management of Immaculate Conception School and the participation of our parent community is necessary and appreciated.