One day to make a difference

The Oaktree Foundation had their first Woodstock fundraiser on Saturday 16th September. The event was a great success, raising over Rs. 50,000. 150 students and staff came on a lovely Saturday evening to the event titled "One Day" to enjoy food from 4 Seasons, Tavern and Ram Chander. While they ate their dinner served by Oaktree student members they were able to enjoy live music performed by students and staff. After dinner there was a presentation about Oaktree and what they stand for by Joel Taylor, a Carey exchange student from Australia.

Oaktree is an Australian organization and is one of the first youth-run aid and development organizations.It was set up by former Carey exchange student Hugh Evans. Their mission statement is 'empowering developing communities in a sustainable way'. Joel started the Oaktree group here at Woodstock and is currently the leader of the group. After Joel's presentation, Mr. and Mrs. Van Drunen showed a short video and talked about the recent trip to Delhi to visit Oaktree at Woodstock's partner, Butterflies. Butterflies are an organization that help street kids. They come in contact with 1200 children everyday and give them a place to sleep an education and a chance at breaking out of the poverty cycle they are in. 100% of all money raised at all Woodstock Oaktree events goes to Butterflies and hopefully in the future there will be opportunities for students from Woodstock to work with the charity.

After the presentations a staff band put together by Mr. Wildman performed songs such as 'Summer of 69', 'I'm a Believer', 'Johnny B. Goode'. They got the full attention of the crowd and many couldn't resist getting up to dance. This was followed by dessert and an auction for the students of things like a ride up to school in the jeep for a week. Overall the evening was a great success and we are looking forward to what Oaktree have to offer in the future.