Oxford students raise $38,805 through United Way Stairclimb

From left, Ingersoll DCI’s Katie Lindsay, Bradley ‘Ace’ Pink and Eli North celebrate the Blue Bombers 19th top school fundraising award in the United Way Oxford Stairclimb’s 20-year history. (Jeff Tribe Photo).

Jeff Tribe

One thousand, two hundred and six students from all seven Oxford County high schools raised $38,805 in the 20th United Way Oxford (UWO) Stairclimb on Nov. 7 at Woodstock’s Reeves Community Complex, lifting the event’s running total to $471,576.

Those bare numbers are impressive. But to experience the enthusiasm and power that many school-themed clothed, sign-bearing,  face-painted and competitively cheering teenagers generate firsthand takes the experience to a whole other level.

“You could just feel the energy everywhere,” said Woodstock CI Red Devils mascot Andrew Meiling, doing his part to fire up the crowd, particularly those wearing red and white. “Awesome,” he added, “you get to dress up, you have fun and give money to charity. What more could you ask for?”

The positive energy built well before competition between designated school representatives and mascots and the namesake stairclimb began, school-based clusters of students good-naturedly cheering and ‘chirping’ representatives from rival institutions.

“I ran the cheers, 100 per cent,” declared Woodstock College Avenue’s Claudia Braun, put together with CASS-themed tiara, shirt, skirt, socks, face paint and sign. She took point along with her elder sister Addison and the latter’s friend Grace Fawcett, for a contingent ‘punching above its weight’ in terms of volume and enthusiasm. 

“And we’re very proud of our shoes,” Addison interjected, indicating an offset pair of navy and gold Converse high tops shared with Fawcett. “We bought them like this for this.”

Three gladitorial competitions gave the broader assembly something to cheer about, a hotly contested mascot crepe paper wrapping, chuck-a-puck and a so-called magical carpet ride, a leg-and-thigh-busting tandem slide on a mat up and down the complex ice that looked any but.

Not an easy task confirmed Woodstock St. Mary’s rep Lauren Staples, comparing the pain to crunches.

“But you know what, we’re Warriors,” she smiled, an attitude exemplified in her school capturing the spirit award.

Unofficially, Woodstock CI took the magic carpet ride title, Tillsonburg Glendale the chuck-a-puck and College Avenue the mascot wrap.

The event’s top fundraisers were also recognized, a trio featuring in ascending order, Woodstock CI’s Charlie Dawson, Zoey Shantz and Ingersoll DCI’s Oliver Ball, his perch atop the podium assisted by a $1,000 donation from his mother, Sarah Skinner of Ingersoll Paper Box.

That donation helped fuel IDCI’s ongoing domination of overall fundraising honours, 2018 being the lone exception across the event’s history.

“We don’t talk about it (2018),” IDCI’s Katie Lindsay smiled. “It never happened.”

“We had almost our entire school here,” added Ball, pleased with the level of individual commitment and collective character illustrated. “Puts the community together, the money goes to a good cause and represents IDCI well.”

Following the competitions, students performed the stairclimb, reassembling once again for UWO Executive Director Kelly Gilson to both recognize and quantify their effort and contribution.

“It’s fun and it’s spirit and it’s all the best you can expect in our students - they’re amazing.” 

Gilson highlighted the event’s educational component, feeling ‘blessed’ to be part of a culture valuing the philanthropic concept of giving back. Each school has its own approach and may add in-school events, but UWO suggests a $20 fund-raising contribution per student as a guideline. Title sponsorship from Meridian Credit Union is also greatly appreciated.

“This really matters to our students and our schools and of course, it matters to our community because we all benefit,” said Gilson.

Money raised makes a big difference she continued, helping fund programs that support school nutrition, mentoring and literacy. 

“There are so many ways United Way funding impacts children of all ages. It gives them the tools and opportunities to thrive.”

Only too soon, comparative silence returned to the complex, replacing the morning’s joyful energy. But long after students filed out to return to their respective schools and classrooms - perhaps having washed off a little face paint or matched up their footwear - the impact of their efforts will remain.

As volunteer master of ceremonies Eric Collins had summed up earlier, the over 1,200 participants had displayed both school spirit and excitement.

“But you’re also changing lives here today.”