The Mark Isfeld students were busy again, this time raising funds for Dawn-to-Dawn, a local organization providing health care and low-income housing to the homeless in the Comox Valley.

The Interact club of Mark Isfeld hosted an original night of activities at the school dubbed the Shack-A-Thon, asking that in return, participating students collect pledges to benefit Dawn-to-Dawn. The total raised was $1,058.75.

When March 26, the night of the Shack-A-Thon, finally arrived, students enjoyed a cardboard shack building contest, knitting scarves for the homeless, games, prizes, food, and the company of friends.

A highlight of the night was guest speaker Helen Boyd from Dawn-to-Dawn and Care-A-Van driver Ralph, who discussed homelessness with the students and gave a tour of the Care-A-Van medical-unit-on-wheels.

The Shack-A-Thon event reflects just how giving the Comox Valley is. The pledge donors, chaperones, parents, guest speaker, Interact students, staff at Mark Isfeld, the students who came, and local businesses that donated prizes, food and services — Sure Copy, Grains Bakery, Edible Island, Comox Videos ’n’ More, Comox Panago, McDonald’s, Atlas Café and Zen Zero — together made the evening a success.

Michelle Law is a Grade 10 student at Mark Isfeld Secondary School.