The Riverside Mission was the recipient of Central Collegiate's generosity towards everyday heroes.

Thanks to the Central Grade 9 leadership class, the school hosted a couple of Toonie Tuesdays, raising $630 for the mission.

Carys Mowrey from the class said they started the class and knew that they wanted to see a change and to give back in the community given that it’s a difficult year.

“We wanted to do something to give back and to help out the less fortunate in the community,” said Mowrey. “What we came up with was Toonie Tuesday we asked Central students and staff to bring toonies to help with Riverside Mission over the holiday season.”

Danny Mullens with the mission was thankful for the donation.

“I just feel it’s just a huge blessing,” he said. “I don’t know how to put it in words, but I want to express the gratitude of such a young group starting and making a big difference in Moose Jaw, and blessing us.”

Mullens said they don't consider themselves heroes but they were able to keep their doors open during the pandemic and are grateful for the recognition.

“We did find it very difficult at first with all the changes,” Mullens said. “It’s come a long way but just to be recognized by Central Collegiate really means a lot. I look forward to the next ventures you have.

He said the donation will help with food, clothing and shelter at the mission for those less fortunate.

“This Christmas season, it’s been just an honour to be connected with Central.”

Given the financial and physical constraints many are feeling during the pandemic, Mullens said they felt even more appreciative of Central’s generosity.

“The pandemic is one thing, a struggle, but this year is just a light in that struggle that we will be blessed with.”

Some of the other everyday heroes that the students wanted to recognize include health care workers and housekeepers at the hospital, the Moose Jaw police service, and restaurants that have stayed open during the pandemic, as well as Central staff.

“We wanted to show people that they’re appreciated, especially during these times,” said Meerika Hutchinson, another student in the class. “They’re working a lot harder than they would normally be, and we just wanted to show that they’re really making a difference out there.”

They wanted to thank people that are sometimes overlooked even in an era of being thankful to most in the health care and frontline services, which was why their focus was on housekeepers.

“We wrote them all cards like Christmas cards basically thanking them and telling them they are regular heroes and they do a lot for our community,” said Mowrey.

“All of them were very thankful,” Mowrey added.

“It was a good feeling to see the positive feedback,” said Hutchinson.