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Joussard School raises almost $10,000 for student in need of heart transplant
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Duane Norland’s family accepted a cheque for $9,594.62 April 23 from
Joussard School. Left-right are principal Natalie Cole-Lamothe, Tanis Willier,
Austin Norland, Tyler Norland, Duane Norland and Susanne Boulanger, a staff
member at the school. Doris Willier, Austin’s grandmother, also works at the school.
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Chris Clegg
for South Peace News
The Joussard School family has risen beyond the call of duty once again.
In just over six weeks, school staff and students have raised $9,594.62 with more money coming in for one of its students, Austin Norland.
Norland, 11, is currently receiving medical treatment in Edmonton in preparation for a heart transplant. He attends Grade 6 at the school.
Principal Natalie Cole-Lamonthe promised to have her head shaved if the school raised $5,000. She was more than happy to oblige after revealing to the school during a celebration in the gym almost $10,000 was raised.
“You guys have done a wonderful job, an amazing job,” she said. “We call ourselves the Joussard family because we care about each other.”
She explained to students Norland’s plight and how expensive it was for him to receive medical treatment.
“We’re really behind him. We’re extending our love and our wishes. That’s what families do. They care for one another.”
Norland has a second gene mutation, says his mother, Tanis Willier.
“He has a muscle in his heart that’s growing too fast,” she says. “It’s thicker and they can’t control it. As it thickens the heart can’t pump the blood.”
The school began its fundraising drive March 11 with a celebration in the gym. Staff promised if $3,000 was raised that Cole-Lamothe, Lorraine Adams, Doris Willier, Patty Lillico, Andrea Hogan, Jennifer Pruden, Susanne Boulanger, Jennifer Churchill, Candice Deren, Tammy Dalke, Gorden Freeman, Amanda Williams, Kathy Routh, Bill Wilcox, Rachael Brassard, Lisa Beauchamp, Albertine Prince and Rudy Willier, Joussard’s High Prairie School Division trustee, would all dye their hair the colour Austin chose.
And, if $4,000 was raised, staff members Racheal Brassard and Jennifer Churchill promised to cut their waist-length hair to above their shoulders and donate their locks to charity.
And if $5,000 was raised, Routh and Cole-Lamothe promised to shave their hair.
“Was I worried about you raising the money?” Cole-Lamothe told students. “No, I wasn’t.”
Duane Norland was impressed and thankful for the money raised.
“I want to thank everyone for the awesome job you did,” he said during a short speech. “I really appreciate this.”
Cole-Lamothe says money was raised throughout the south shore region, not just Joussard, proving how people come together to help others in time of need.
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