TFS - Canada's International School

8 T F S F O U N D AT I O N Last year, veteran volunteers Stephanie Thompson and Josie Marrano led the most successful Class Fund drive in TFS history. The two friends share a birthday and both exhibit the classic Leo traits of organization and determination, making them the right pair to lead a fresh approach to fundraising during an uncertain time. With the addition of an experienced and dedicated group of parent volunteers, the Class of 2021 Fund Committee was destined for success. Both have a strong history of volunteerism with TFS. The two friends have been volunteering since they were Class Representatives as PK parents. Stephanie is currently a Director on the TFS Foundation Board. Josie was most recently the Senior School Branch Coordinator. Their volunteer history in large part accounts for their tremendous success in leading the Class of 2021 Fund to its best result ever—raising over $112,000 and blowing away the $50,000 goal. A strong motive was the memory of the pandemic's disruption of the Class of 2020's experience and graduation. The two also knew that the Class of 2021 would not be able to experience the celebrations of a traditional TFS graduation and decided to lead the Class of 2021 fund appeal as a tribute to this class. "It had been a year and a half of mainly no campus, few if any activities, and little contact. We wanted to rekindle our community's relationships at a grassroots level," says Josie. "We were on the other side of 2020 by then," adds Stephanie. "We'd had experience with our new reality, and despite the overall uncertainty, we went in knowingly and willingly. We wanted to be lead families for the appeal and to really lead by example," she recalls. The committee had to be creative in bringing the community together because of the inability to gather or visit campus. Technology helped fill the ap, including a dedicated Instagram account for Level V parents and a number of Zoom meetings. In turn, the committee reached out to over 80 families to communicate the goals of the Class of 2021 Fund. These conversations helped bridge the distance to rally the community. "The story of honouring the Class of 2021 really resonated with parents because of what the funds go towards," says Stephanie. Class Funds are established by parents to honour students' accomplishments and time at TFS. Funds raised are directed to student financial aid. The Class of 2021 Fund will support the TFS bursary program, which provides urgent, temporary funding for current TFS families undergoing financial hardship, so that no child's TFS education becomes disrupted. Historically, half of the Class Fund is dedicated for immediate short-term use, while the other half is endowed to help TFS students in perpetuity. But this year the Class of 2021 Fund Committee decided to allocate a modest amount for a pilot project that would promote mental health and wellness for Senior School students. The concept resonated with parents and the Level V lounge in the Senior School is consequently receiving a light makeover and new furniture so that graduating seniors have a place of comfort to retreat to with their peers. "This was a remarkable achievement during a remarkable year," says Stephanie. "Thanks to our class parents, who share in our success because they were with us every step of the way." Class of 2021 Fund Committee Josie Marrano, Co-Chair Stephanie Thompson, Co-Chair Azadeh Badertscher Marie Garneau Maryam Helali (Sadr) Coralie Koeune Blake Langill Sandra Sullivan Keeley VETERAN VOLUNTEERS How two engaged parents made Class Fund history

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