The Chinook School Board takes pride in hearing of the accomplishments of any student in the region. That pride was evident when the seven members of the executive of the 22 person strong We Day group came to present the results of the Raising Hope Gala held on Jan 27th in Eastend. The group was founded to be part of the We Day Celebration that happens in Saskatoon each March. It was organized by the brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger. They heard the story of a young boy who died in India as a child worker. They raised funds and traveled to India to put a spotlight on this serious issue. From there changing Me to We, has been their slogan. They helped organize We Day Conventions all over the world to help students build better communities. The Kielburger mission is, "To work with developing communities to free children and their families from poverty and exploitation. Their vision expanded to include empowering youth at home, connecting them with global issues and social causes, and partnering with schools to inspire young change-makers from within the classroom." This started over 20 years ago. To attended a We Day event all attendees do not buy tickets. Instead, they have to volunteer and organize local and global projects. After showing what a group has done they are extended an invitation to the Saskatoon event for meeting the We Day criteria.

The Gala Of Hope was designed to meet the local and volunteering aspect of the We Day experience. As part of attending the March 2016 We Day Conference, some of the students visited Ronald McDonald House. There the idea began on how they could help the organization. After hearing speakers like Chris Hatfield, Henry Winkler, Rick Hansen and the Kielburger brothers the students became convinced they could make a difference. When the new school year started in September of 2016, the We Day Group still felt that they could tackle the project of raising $30,000 to sponsor a room for one year at Ronald McDonald House. Staff advisors for the group felt like this maybe a bigger undertaking than the kids thought but put their full support behind the endeavour.

Students went out and got the sponsors, silent auction items, as well as live auction items. They asked and got several catering companies in the Southwest to come out and let people sample their wares. All with no expectation of payment as each one was asked to bring samples. Five companies answered the call and had more than enough food to go around. Guest were escorted to their seats and the team handled serving beverages, applicable for an official high school function.  All the time spent serving was a part of the volunteering phase of We Day.

As the live auction unfolded people in attendance started handing napkins with items they wanted to auction off to support the cause. The event was way above what the kids could dream of as the goal of $30,000 was eclipsed. The final total, so far, is $65,431.00. The statement, so far, is accurate as the kids are still getting donations sent to them. A local Swift Current detailing shop has offered the kids can do a car wash and BBQ at their location in the spring with all proceeds going to the gala. The group has to cut off on June 1, 2017, as this is the final day they will have to submit their fundraising efforts.

In March 2017, the students will make their donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charity, at which time the charity will be hosting a media event as it is not very often Ronald McDonald House are recipients of such a large donation and done in such a special way. The kids stated they are very nervous about what to expect and have been really happy with the media coverage so far especially from the local media. Janice Michel, the chairperson for the students informed the Chinook School Board, "We really didn't know how big this was so we just did it,"  she said. "I can't believe the amount of coverage we are getting. It's putting Eastend on the map!"