BY MYA KAUR KOONER
Grade 9 student
David Thompson Secondary School
STUDENTS from David Thompson and John Oliver high schools’ Sikh Clubs decided they wanted to help local elementary school children in need. Both student clubs heard a presentation about the Victor Ghirra Toy Drive in November. Victor was involved in many philanthropic initiatives, but one good cause that Victor was really touched by was the BC Children’s Hospital. He bought toys worth thousands of dollars every Christmas and donated them to the hospital for children that needed them. He would never tell them who he was or where the toys were from. It was later found that Victor had made trips to the hospital for over a dozen years.
When students heard the story about Victor, they felt inspired to collect toys for good causes. Students made announcements at their school, shared posts on social media, spread word to their families and friends, and started collection boxes at their schools. The collection of toys started out slow, but as awareness grew, more people learned why students were collecting toys and the boxes started filling up.
Aman Grewal, David Thompson teacher and Sikh Club sponsor, said: “The David Thompson and John Oliver Sikh Clubs kids enjoyed collecting toys to honor Victor’s vision and love for giving. It profoundly changed both groups having seen what quiet service like Victor’s can do to change a community to envision a common goal for the good.” The toy drive was only one of the many events that David Thompson Sikh Club has done over the school year.
At David Thompson Secondary School, the students have celebrated Vaisakhi, Diwali and Gurpurab with their school community. Not only do the Sikh Clubs learn about the history of each holiday, they share the significance of these days with all the students at their school. For example, during Vaisakhi there were free samosas distributed to all students and staff by Sikh Club members during lunch. There was a dhol player invited from South Asian Arts Society to drum up a festive mood. Special guests were invited to join the celebration: local Member of Parliament for Vancouver South, Harjit Sajjan, and School Trustee Preeti Faridkot. These events bring the community together and share our background.
Amandeep Grewal, David Thompson Secondary School teacher, founded the Sikh Club in 2014. The genesis of the Sikh Club was to give students a place to come together and share their cultural identity. Grewal wanted to let students know they are capable of anything in this world and if they set their sights on any positive path, they could achieve it. The club looks to promote education, self-growth and realizing youths’ potential.
Grewal said: “I wanted to show students a truer image of Sikhi. My goal was to create visible unity amongst them as a starting point to address behaviors that were counterproductive to their interests. Sikh Club, in the spirit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, will give — not receive — and will donate endlessly without “fundraising.” The Guru’s treasures are vast, and I have always guided students to know that Sikh’s have always been the heroes for all, the warriors for justice, and the bearers of that burden. We do not complain, we do not say we can’t. We envision, pray, and watch Guru Ji’s magic unfold.” The Sikh Club creates a positive space for students to be themselves, work together and give back to the community.
Through the Sikh Club, students learn what selfless service is about. For students, it’s not about getting recognition for the work; it’s about doing ‘seva’ for the community. That’s why the students were so touched by Victor Ghirra’s story – how he selflessly gave to BC Children’s Hospital year after year without any form of recognition. Students came together and made a difference just the way Victor would have.
Students contacted local elementary schools to find out how they could help. Elementary school administrators gave wish lists from students whose families need some support during the holidays. The local high schools’ Sikh Club toy collections were put into the grand toy count for the 17th Annual Victor Ghirra Toy Drive for 25 good causes – where 2,600 toys had been collected. From there, the wish lists of the elementary schools were taken and fulfilled in addition to the toys collected by the Sikh Clubs.
Last week, both high school Sikh Clubs visited elementary schools to deliver the toys. There was joy on the faces of administrators when they saw the toy collections that students brought in. The actions of these Sikh Clubs are making an impact over the holidays for dozens of students in the community.
In addition to the toy drive, Sikh Club students will reach out to elementary schools to do mentorship programs, get involved in sports and community events.
Grewal hopes to support and help other high schools in British Columbia create Sikh Clubs to do noble deeds in the community. If you would like to get involved, or help support the Sikh Clubs’ community outreach, please email: asgrewal@vsb.bc.ca
