The holiday season is finally upon us, but before school buildings shut down for winter break, District staff took part in one last event today—the annual International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) pancake breakfast, and final event for this year’s VSB Gives Back Campaign. This year’s IUOE breakfast, which took place at Churchill Secondary has been an annual tradition for nearly 20 years and follows two other staff-led fundraising events: the Education Centre pancake breakfast and the Workshop barbeque. 

This year, these three events, in addition to several raffles and a silent auction raised nearly $30,000 for Backpack Buddies, an organization that addresses the weekend hunger gap for students with 500 bags filled with ready-to-eat meals, snacks, fresh fruits and vegetables for 27 VSB schools each week. 

Education Centre Pancake Breakfast

“The annual campaign brings staff across the District around something we all care about — helping students,” says VSB Superintendent Helen McGregor. 

On December 4, various departments, such as Superintendent’s Office, Indigenous Education and Finance contributed a gift basket for the Pancake Breakfast raffle. Senior staff and trustees took turns at the grill, flipping pancakes and serving pancakes, sausages and hashbrowns. Breakfast-goers across the District enjoyed their time mingling over pancakes and mulling over their chances to win a basket.

On the way to the Workshop!

At the Workshop barbeque on December 12, staff throughout the District bundled up, for a fun and festive luncheon. A lucky few rode on a school bus to the East Vancouver shop. The Workshop, which is usually a place where school furniture and other materials are sent to be maintained or repaired was cleared out to hold rows of cafeteria tables. Workshop staff brought the holiday cheer with merry décor and a lively piano performance of classic Christmas carols. Many burgers and hotdogs were served and door prizes were won. Backpack Buddies co-founder Joanne Griffiths delivered words on the difference that VSBs contributions will provide for students across the District who face food insecurity.

Holiday tunes, courtesy of Workshop staff.

Staff were all smiles today at the IUOE pancake breakfast at Churchill. The event left everyone with full tummies and fuller hearts. Many building engineers say it’s an event that they look forward to every year. “I come here to see old friends and donate money to support a good cause. It feels good to give back in support of students,” says Nazim Khan, assistant building engineer at Strathcona who has worked at VSB for nearly 35 years.

Buying raffle tickets for the IUOE 50/50 draw

“The holiday season is a time that invites kindness, generosity, and gratitude—values that unite us all, no matter how we celebrate. We know that our schools have taken their own initiatives to give back to the community during this season. Whether it’s organizing food drives, clothing collections, or fundraising efforts, these acts of kindness reflect the care and compassion that define VSB schools,” says McGregor. 

Thank you to all who participated in the 2024 VSB Gives Back campaign and other fundraisers throughout VSB this holiday season!