Students across the Durham Catholic District School Board are kicking off the new school year by giving back, with schools in Ajax and across the region running food drives and fundraising campaigns for local charities ahead of the Thanksgiving weekend.
The service initiatives are part of the board's spiritual theme for the year, Shining Our Light, which the board says calls students and staff to show kindness, compassion, generosity and service, according to a message posted on the DCDSB website.
The message, from Chief Executive Officer and Chief Education Officer Gerard Winn, highlights the partnerships between families, staff, parishes and community members that the board says support the success and well-being of every student.
"Every day, I am inspired by the many ways our students, families, and staff live out this call, helping to create welcoming and caring school communities."
Winn's message did not say which individual schools are participating, but the board-wide efforts are supporting organizations including the Durham Catholic Children's Foundation, ShareLife, and Feed the Need Durham, along with other community groups.
Feed the Need Durham is a Pickering-based charity that supplies food to hunger-relief programs across Durham Region, while ShareLife is the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Toronto. The Durham Catholic Children's Foundation supports students and families within the board who are experiencing financial hardship.
Reflection on the land and the season
Alongside the Thanksgiving reflection, the board acknowledged that the land on which its schools sit has long been home to First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, whose traditions of giving thanks predate the holiday.
The board says the season is an opportunity for families to give thanks for their blessings and to reflect on the histories that continue to shape the community's shared journey.
What it means for Ajax families
Thousands of students in Ajax attend Durham Catholic schools, and the board's message encourages them to carry the theme beyond the classroom — into their homes, parishes and neighbourhoods.
"Together, we nurture the God-given gifts of every student and encourage them to shine their light in their homes, schools, parishes, and communities."
The service campaigns come as the board wraps up the first month of the 2026-2027 school year, which Winn described as a joyful return to classrooms built on faith, learning and service.
Families looking to support the drives can contact their local school for details on how to contribute before the Thanksgiving weekend.
