Lakeland College is looking to enhance student success supports with the Great Canadian Giving Challenge.

Every dollar donated throughout the month of June will support Lakeland students and bring the college one step closer to winning $20,000. Charities and non-profits, like Lakeland College, receive an entry to win $20,000 for every dollar donated. Overall, the funds raised through the Great Canadian Giving Challenge will support Lakeland's largest fundraising campaign to date, Leading. Learning. The Lakeland Campaign

“Students have gone through a lot this year,” says Stacey Ruller, development officer at Lakeland College. “With all the additional stress of the pandemic, they've needed extra supports for their mental health and wellness, as well as finances. A major pillar of our Leading. Learning. The Lakeland Campaign has been supporting student success, and that includes scholarships, bursaries, emergency funds, Indigenous supports, safe spaces, athletics and more. The need has never been greater. It would be amazing to end our campaign with a huge boost in funding for this critical, core piece of what it means to be a Lakeland student.”

The power of donor support has been transformative for Zoe Quinney. After competing the esthetician program in 2020, Quinney returned to Lakeland this year to enhance her wellness skills and complete the hairstyling program, with support from Lakeland's student awards program.

“Receiving a scholarship was amazing because it helped me go to school,” says Quinney, who hails from Frog Lake, Alta. “Supports like this are so important. They give students the drive to get high marks, to finish school, and they increase the accessibility of post-secondary education. Lakeland's student supports have been so helpful too. When I was struggling, the wellness advisor gave me a lot of resources to reach out to for the help I needed for my mental health. It all ended up working the way I needed it to. They're always there for you.”

By supporting Lakeland in the Great Canadian Giving Challenge, you'll help to ensure students like Zoe Quinney receive the support they need to excel. The Great Canadian Giving Challenge is featured on Lakeland College's social media accounts and on the website.

“Together, let's ensure Lakeland students continue to benefit from the highest quality education and develop practical skills for the real world, so they're prepared to make valuable contributions to our community,” says Ruller.