Crescent Heights Vikings girls volleyball team to host bottle drive supporting Medicine Hat & District Food Bank on Friday (Photo courtesy of Bob Schneider)

By Scott Roblin

Giving Back

Crescent Heights Vikings to raise funds for food bank through bottle drive

May 7, 2020 | 5:54 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – An idea from one graduating student at Crescent Heights High School has turned into a community fundraiser aimed at supporting locals in need of a hand up.

On Friday afternoon, the CHHS Vikings girls volleyball team will be hosting a bottle drive to raise funds for the Medicine Hat & District Food Bank.

Vikings head coach Scott Galloway said he was recently approached by senior Julia Forsyth about the possibility of holding such an event.

“She initiated through a text to me, ‘Hey Galloway, what do you think about maybe hosting a bottle drive to raise money for the food bank?’” said Galloway. “I was just thrilled with the idea and we passed it onto the rest of the team.”

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Since the initial spark of an idea, the fundraiser has picked up steam on social media and has been led by the players themselves.

Something that Galloway said he takes extreme pride in, especially considering many of his players haven’t been able to enjoy a normal end their high school days.

“They’re going through hardships of their own at this time, not being able to celebrate their Grade 12 year with friends and they’re having their own personal struggles,” he said. “But, just to have them think of others during this time wanting to give back to their community and add some happiness to others is just a fantastic feeling. I get overwhelmed by pride.”

Those interested in dropping off donations will be able to do so at the CHHS south parking lot in front of the main doors, while Vikings players have been split into shifts over the six-hour event.

According to the Vikings, they will have physical distancing and PPE measures in place to keep themselves and those dropping off donations safe as well.

“We’re asking for people to drop-off their donations,” said Galloway. “The volunteers will be available to help load it onto the truck we have coming if that’s required. Obviously, they’re going to have gloves, sanitation stuff as needed, even masks that were donated to us.”

While it’s not the first charitable event the girls have been involved in this year, Galloway said this one is even more special as it comes off the court and will support a local organization in need.

“These girls are not just great athletes,” he said. “They’re fantastic citizens that really do consider the rest of the population here in Medicine Hat.”

The bottle drive will run from 12:00 to 6:00 pm with a cheque expected to be presented to the Medicine Hat & District Food Bank next week.