Okotoks students in the 2018 fall Lead Program celebrated graduation last week after a practicum project focused on supporting charities in the community.

Carey Gruber, Youth Social Development Specialist with the Town of Okotoks, says the group came together to support local initiatives in creative ways.

"One boy decided to do a bottle drive, and the remaining group decided they wanted to do a bake sale," she said.

As part of the program, participants are required to complete a 20 hour practicum placement, which led to the bottle drive and bake sale.

Gruber, says participants made the decisions on which charities to donate to after researching each cause and choosing among themselves.

"They chose, as a group, things that really spoke to them. They made their decision to split the proceeds between Rowan House and Tanner Swaby. Some of the youth in the Lead Program are peers of his," she said.

One participant coordinated a bottle drive in support of Heaven Can Wait, while the remaining participants planned, shopped for and baked goods for sale at the Big Rock Singers Cinema Christmas Show, raising $350.

Gruber adds the students chose a bowling graduation party, which took place last Friday, as they shared certificate presentations with their families. Participants will be presenting the proceeds to the respective charities this week.

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