KUCSC events help local charitable organizations during COVID-19

Throughout the summer and amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the King’s University College Students’ Council (KUCSC) has continued to work to support community organizations.

From June 12-14, 2020, the Project King’s Cares Food Drive was organized by Zane Khan, KUCSC Charity Commissioner and Courtney Santaguida, KUCSC Vice President, Student Events. A donation drop-off was held on the King’s campus where students, staff, faculty and the London community could participate by donating non-perishable food items and hygiene products. At the conclusion of the Food Drive, a total of eight large boxes were donated to the following local charitable organizations: Atlohsa Family Healing Services, Regional HIV/AIDS Connection and Sister's of St. Joseph Hospitality Centre

“They were very grateful for our donations especially given the struggles that COVID-19 has presented,” says Santaguida. She added, however that “after completing the donation drop-off, we knew our work was not finished given the amazing work these organizations do.”

At the suggestion of a community member who attended the Food Drive, KUCSC organized the King’s Cares Car Wash on the weekend of July 24-26. The car was raised approximately $4,360 to be distributed among the same three London organizations. Eighteen volunteers washed 60 cars over the span of three days.

“Our project could have never developed into fruition without the constant help and support of the entire KUCSC and the King's community as a whole,” says Santaguida.

The Project King’s Cares program was established by the 2020 KUCSC to be able to provide support for local non-profit organizations that do impactful work in the London community. Initially, the project’s goal was to provide hygiene products and/or non-perishable items to those affected by poverty and COVID-19. The KUCSC efforts have since expanded to provide funding for organizations to obtain other commodities and services.

“We wanted to provide some form of support to the local residents who may be struggling during these extremely challenging times. Project King's Cares represents a sense of hope in troubling times,” says Khan.

The Project King’s Cares team thanks everyone who supported the Car Wash initiative. Santaguida says KUCSC is excited to announce there will be more events in the future, including an event in September to be hosted by the King’s Soph team.