Toonie Tuesdays at Port Coquitlam school raises $11K for Fort McMurray wildfire victims

A special initiative started by a group of students in Port Coquitlam has raised thousands of dollars for victims of the Fort McMurray wildfire.

On Toonie Tuesdaysat the Pitt River Middle School, students line up in the hallway to make a $2 donation to those affected by the fire that has been called "The Beast."

"I felt entirely bad because I can barely stand it when, like, I don't have a phone. And they were left with nothing," said Grade 8 student Ashlyn Quilapio.

"I was just, like, I felt so horrible and I want to help in any way I can."

The idea for the fundraiser didn't come from a teacher or a principal. It came from Grade 7students at the school.Theinitiative started with a small idea, but it has grown into a fundraising drive that is making a big difference.

District-wide effort

Once the school was on board withToonieTuesday,one student wondered if they could take the idea even further.

"I thought that we could take it to multiple schools and then the rest of the class decided to take it district wide," said Grade 7 studentMatthew Miller.

More than 20 schools are now part of the fundraiser,and thetooniesare stacking up the students have raised $11,000.

Teacher Kiren Chandsays she hopesthe students will learn to look out for others in the long-term.

"I'm hoping this is something these kids carry with them and go on in high school and beyond," she said.

The federal government is matching alldonations made to the Fort McMurray wildfire victims until Tuesday.

On Monday, the Red Cross announced it will givemore money to displaced Fort McMurray residents once they have returned to the city, and will also help pay transportation costs for those who need it.

More than $112 million in donations has been collected by the Red Cross from across the country.

With files from Jesse Johnston