Holy Cross Elementary School raises money for cancer support in memory of principal Baker

Cancer is a disease that touches all of our lives, and local students in the Lakeland Region are supporting Haying in the ’30s in memory of Mr. Will Baker.

In February, Cold Lake’s Holy Cross Elementary School principal, Mr. Will Baker, lost his courageous battle with cancer and passed away. The school was devastated and decided to turn their grief into keeping Mr. Baker’s memory alive. The students decided to raise money to support Haying in the ’30’s Cancer Support Society, which is a wonderful organization that provides financial support to individuals diagnosed with cancer in the Lakeland region.

Principal Val Hanson of Holy Cross Elementary School presented members of Haying in the ’30s with a cheque for $5000 on Tuesday, April 20, in memory of their beloved friend.

“Mr. Baker lost his battle with cancer and we do a Lenten project every year to raise money, and this year, he passed in February,” Hanson said. “So we thought cancer would be a good thing.”

Hanson says students really wanted to donate the money to a local organization to support cancer because Mr. Baker supported other cancer patients during his battle.

“He reached out to other cancer patients in the area. And so that was really important to him that even himself having cancer that he supported other people. So we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to raise money in his name,” Hanson told Lakeland Connect. “And so typically, when we do a do this project, we raise about $2,000. The kids raised $5,000. And I think that’s because they were so passionate about doing it in his name and making him proud.”

Arthur C. Green/Lakeland Connect

In the lobby of Holy Cross Elementary School, green ribbons hang around a quilt of memories for (Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) to honour the life of their incredible school leader. Each ribbon represents $50 donated.

Mr. Bakers’ children, Jared, Brendan, and Kieran were in attendance for the cheque presentation.

Mr. Baker’s three boys (L) view the memory wall at Holy Cross Elementary School in Cold Lake. Arthur C. Green/Lakeland Connect.

“This is pretty amazing, it really shows that he made an impact here and he’s really loved,” Jared Baker said. “This presentation here today means a lot to our family, and that they can donate this money and that the students cared enough to raise it all. That’s really nice to see that they’re living on in his memory.”

arthur@lakelandconnect.thedev.ca