Oct. 2 saw the launch of “We Day” in the United States, with a spirited and powerful assembly inside Federal Way High School.
Started by Canadian activist Craig Kielburger as an extension of his Free the Children organization, We Day has become a powerful tool of motivation for students in Canada. We Day gathers thousands of students together each year with the aim of inspiring them to be a part of the change they believe should happen in the world.
Decatur High School launched a “Gator Give” program on Oct. 17, as the Gators’ version of “We Scare Hunger,” one of the programs that has been successfully running under the Free the Children/We Day banner for a number of years now.
Federal Way High School will lead a We Scare Hunger collection drive Oct. 31. Teens will trick-or-treat for canned goods to benefit the Multi-Service Center Food Bank.
“One of the initiatives for Free the Children is We Scare Hunger,” said Shawn Simpson, professional development program administrator for FWPS. “And in fact, in that one day, Canada collects more food for people that are hungry than any other day in Canada. Our kids have launched that campaign and are very excited about it.”
Deactur will hold an assembly on the food drive on Oct. 26, and also have plans to hold a dance where admission will be one can of non-perishable food, said Simpson.
All of this is leading up to the very first large-scale We Day event in the U.S., which runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 27 at Key Arena. Students have to commit to one “local” and one “global” action in order to be able to attend, although tickets will be limited.
“Many people say that when you experience a We Day, it gives you chills,” Simpson said. “The power of children in a room, belonging, believing and becoming something bigger. It’s so exciting it sends chills up your spine.”
Learn more
The We Day event on March 27 in Seattle will feature keynote speaker Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of the Soviet Union and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. More celebrity speakers will be unveiled as the event nears. Visit www.facebook.com/weday.
