When students in the Community & Justice Services Club were deciding who to support for a Remembrance Day fundraising initiative, club members looked close to home.
Private Daniel Thrasher, who grew up in Tecumseh, is a Canadian Armed Forces soldier with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. In October, Pte. Thrasher was among dozens of soldiers critically injured in a tragic grass fire at CFB Wainwright in Alberta. Four fellow service members at CFB Wainwright also died in the tragedy.
"The community has overwhelmingly supported the family through this tragedy, and this is one way that our clubs and St. Clair College can give back to the community and help," said Logan Hawthorne, a first-year Community & Justice Services (CJS) student.
Years ago, Hawthorne worked alongside Pte. Thrasher at the Soup Shack and wanted to ensure the College community rallies behind its injured soldier.
"When I found out he was one of those that was critically injured at CFB Wainwright, I suggested that maybe we do something local and we support Daniel," Hawthorne said.
In collaboration with the Border Services program and students in the Culinary Management – Community Integration through Cooperative Education (CICE) program, the group decided to sell poppy cookies, and will donate the full amount of funds raised to Pte. Thrasher.
"It's just so rewarding, knowing that we're able to help the greater community," said Audrey Erickson, a second-year student in the CJS program. "I just love going out and helping and seeing the fruits of the labour, showing other people that we can help."
CICE students baked more than 200 bright red poppy-fashioned cookies and started selling them at the conclusion of the Remembrance Day ceremony at St. Clair College's Main Windsor Campus.
11 minutes later, they were completely sold out.
"Seeing everybody come out and buy more than one cookie with their donation – it feels really, really good," said Erickson. "I'm hopeful that we raised a good amount of money today."
The cookies sold out so fast, CICE students are already whipping together another batch for Thursday, Nov. 12, to sell at The Wedge near the cafeteria at 11 a.m.
"I think it's just a small reminder of how a school like ours can take the initiative and help support Pte. Daniel Thrasher through small means like this," said CICE student Dante Busico. "And all the support will of course go to him, and we pray that he gets all the best care, and he continues to stay healthy and recover from his injury."
A fundraising total will be tabulated at the conclusion of the bake sale.
"The CJS Club, CICE, Border Services, even all of St. Clair College is behind you, we are standing with you and keeping you in our thoughts and our prayers," Hawthorne said in a message to Pte. Thrasher.
"That's what is so great about this community of Windsor and Essex County: we look after our own."
