In conversation with Mississauga’s Andria Bancheri, Chaplaincy Leader at Phillip Pocock on their Sharelife fundraiser.

What exactly is Spirit of Service?
Spirit of Service is an annual fundraiser for Sharelife by Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School. It is a 14 hour event which starts at 8am and goes until 10pm.  During the day students go out and volunteer at various placements in the Peel Region  - this year they will be volunteering at Beechwood Retirement Home, St. Patrick's Parish and Heartland Community Church. Throughout the entire day they are also fasting in solidarity with the poor. Once they return to school they will be participating in "The Hungry Games" which is comprised of an escape room built in the school, a scavenger hunt and a dodgeball tournament. Our evening ends with mass celebrated in our chapel and a dinner to break our 14 hours fast donated by many of our local community restaurants.

What inspired this community fundraiser?
Our school is named after Archbishop Philip Pocock, the former Archbishop of Toronto. Archbishop Pocock founded the charity Sharelife. Archbishop Pocock also chose our school motto "Let this be a school with spirit" which challenges us to be a school with not just school spirit but a spirit of wanting to love its community and make it better. 

When does it take place?
It takes place on the Friday of Catholic Education Week which this year falls on Fri, May 10th.

Who can participate?
Any Philip Pocock student can participate by registering and committing to raise a minimum of $50 for Sharelife. 

How can the community support this initiative?
The community can support this initiative by letting the school know if they have a service placement where students can help, by supporting one of our students in their fundraising efforts or by contacting the school to make a community donation or by donating food or prizes for our celebratory dinner for next years event.

How and which local businesses are supporting Spirit of Service?
Shwarnado, Pizza Nova (Tomken and Eglinton), La Bonita, Mississauga Noodles, Redberry Foods (through Taco Bell) and Silva's BBQ are all supporting by giving us food donations for our students. Peter's on Eglinton has generously donated a gift certificate for a dinner for two for our student who has raised the most money.