There will be a sea of St. Francies Xavier University students around the town of Antigonish this weekend, raising money for a local organization, in the final event of a long-standing tradition.
Orientation week starts in early September, welcoming thousands of new students to the University.
There are various events that hundreds attend, and this year to wrap it up, is Charity Day.
Students will be collecting donations for The Antigonish Affordable Housing Society– all organized by the Student Union.
President Francisco Chang tells our newsroom it is an opportunity to give back to the community that welcomes them every year.
“The idea is that they set up stations on different locations around town and they sing, they dance, and they just collect donations for the charity that we selected.”
Chang says, the O-crew will be dressed in pink, others will be wearing black, but all of them are there for the same cause.
Photo: St. FX Student Union
Raising money locally
In the past, the school would raise money for Shinerama, in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
This year, Chang says, they wanted to keep it local.
“We think affordable housing is an issue that has affected many communities across Canada, but especially, you know…rural areas like Antigonish. Here, you now, students face housing issues, like counties affect housing issues, newcomers affect housing issues. So, this year we really wanted to focus on helping reduce a problem that has affected our community.”
Affordable Housing Society ‘thrilled’
The Antigonish Affordable Housing Society is a volunteer-run organization initially formed in the 1990’s, but really took off around 2011.
A member of the Board of Directors, Connie Clements says they provide housing for those on a low income.
She tells us they are absolutely “thrilled” the student union is keeping the money local, seeing housing as not only a big issue, but a need for students.
“One of the factors that compounds the cost of housing in Antigonish, is student housing. Landlords can rent by the room at a fairly steep price and gain more than they would get if they were renting a whole apartment or a house to a family or a cooperative group, not room by room.”
Clements adds, they have 28 units with 17 about to be built on Appleseed Drive, thanks to recent funding from all three levels of government.
The new builds, she says, is likely where the money raised by Charity Day would go, as grants usually fall short.
Where can you spot the students?
Students will be at various places around town including Walmart, Sobeys, Superstore, Canadian Tire, 5 cents to 1 Dollar Store, the Main Street intersection and the Antigonish Farmers’ Market.
Photo: Sf. FX Student Union
Chang says they are incredibly grateful for the support of businesses.
“It is more than just a fundraising event…it’s more like, you know, a celebration of community spirit.”
It’s runs 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday.
