Paws, Michelle Hansen, Tyler Scott and Tina Torrens
RSPCA mascot Paws, Michelle Hansen, Tyler Scott and Tina Torrens announce the winners of the Taabinga State School’s recent chocolate drive

April 22, 2013

Taabinga State School’s Sports Hall was packed with excited students (and a very large dog) this afternoon for the announcement of the results of the P&C’s recent chocolate drive.

At a meeting on February 19, Taabinga State School principal Susan Beatty asked the P&C if they could help out with a $10,000 deficit the school was facing in its computer budget…

The meeting decided to organise a chocolate drive.

But when the results came in, everyone was astonished that the students had raised an amazing $7500 in a matter of weeks.

The school’s annual Year 7 camp has been allocated $2500 of the funds while the other $5000 will go towards the computer budget.

The P&C will contribute the $5000 balance from its own funds.

Today the P&C held a special parade in the Sports Hall to thank students, the community and tuckshop volunteers for all their help in meeting – and then exceeding – the fund-raising target.

Students were awarded prizes – and a special hug or a high five from RSPCA mascot Paws – for anything from selling the most chocolate to being the most outstanding participant in their class.

But plans for Paws to draw the winning tickets for random prizes had to be abandoned at the last minute because his paws were too big … but luckily some teachers were on hand to assist.

Corky from CROW-FM 90.7 also put in an appearance to draw the winner of a $400 advertising package from CROW-FM for businesses that had helped support the chocolate drive.

P&C President Tina Torrens said she was delighted with the response from the school’s students and the community, and thanked everyone involved for a wonderful effort.

Pawnote: Chocolate and dogs usually don’t mix, but today was a special occasion.

Michelle Hansen and Paws
The awkward moment when Paws discovers his paws are just too big to draw lucky tickets out of the box held by assistant Michelle Hansen; fortunately they were able switch roles…