C.A.F.É. DAY was developed through a small series of happenings where one grade 8 student of Holy Redeemer Catholic School was stirred in their heart after reading a book about World War II - where the Jewish people were sent to concentration camps. The thought came that something needed to be done and that we could help make a difference in the lives of those involved in war - by getting the younger generation together to appreciate and thank all those who regularly make tremendous sacrifices everyday and put their lives at risk - so that we may live safely in our land.

For the time it takes to sit and have a cup of coffee - we could write a thank you note to our men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces for the work they do and a job well done.

This would also be another generation's way of responding to the traditions set up by our Canadian forefathers who established before us such important days like November 11th, Remembrance Day and June's Veteran's Day. Our forefathers have declared their motto 'Lest We Forget!' It is time for our generation to rise up with a fresh voice of commitment, declaring 'We Will Remember!'

I would like to propose that C.A.F.É. Day be implemented on the first day of spring to reinforce to our troops that better days are ahead. Spring is often seen as a time of new beginnings, fresh hope and better tomorrows. It would be a day of celebrating the sacrifice that the troops already are making and have made just by entering into the military to serve and protect this country.


Action Steps:

1) Have the Grade 8 Students of Canada work together as a team to lead the students of Holy Redeemer to take a few minutes to write an encouraging note to our Canadian Armed Forces.
2) Grade 8 Students (with permission) would take a digital photo of each class with their teachers in their own room - together waving at the troops.
3) These photos would be pasted on one 8 ½ x 11 page of a scrap book along with one sentence of appreciation, from each class, to encourage the troops.
4) Upon completion of the photo being inserted into the scrap book for the troops along with the class's statement of appreciation - the book would be taken to each classroom to have the students sign their name to the appropriate page for their class.
5) On the front of the scrap book - will be a picture of our school along with our school motto 'The Little School with the BIG Heart!'
6) The scrap book of appreciation would then be sent via Canada Post to the C.A.F. Head Office - where we would request it to be copied and sent to all of our troops that are deployed abroad.
7) The paper and photos have already been supplied - therefore there would be no cost involved to the students of Canada.


Benefits:

1) Promotes team work among the students.
2) Gives us a common cause to work towards while also letting our Canadian Troops who sacrifice for us everyday, know that we are thinking of them even after November 11th - Remembrance Day!
3) It will help set a good example for the rest of the school to follow in years ahead while also building school morale and participation.
4) It will help other people across Canada to realize that it just takes one person to make a difference in someone else's life - and that one school of Canadian children can perhaps bring a smile or happy heart to our troops who don't always see happy days in the lands that they are serving our country in.
5) It will help develop leadership skills in the Grade 8 students before they head for high school. This is done by the fact that they must work together as a team to accomplish a common goal while also rallying the rest of the school to join in the cause and see and learn the benefits of giving a few moments of our time and thoughts to those who defend our country for our freedom.
6) It lets the troops know that we are thinking and praying for them often.
7) It instills in our younger generation a sense of awareness and purpose that we too, even though we are much younger, have a part to play in supporting those men and women who give so much for our nation.
8) It'll also show that a simple act of kindness can indeed go a long way to make a better day for someone else.
9) By sending a 'Thank You Scrap Book' with pictures of actual Canadians that the troops can see - it would help put and keep some of the faces of the Canadian people before them - whom they strive to serve and protect.


How Will It Happen!
(Through Connections of Family and Friends)

1) Already, people in the Royal Canadian Legion are excited about this possibility and are ready to work with the school in promoting C.A.F.É. DAY throughout Ontario and possibly Canada.
2) An organization called Canada Family Action Coalition is also excited about the possibilities and is preparing to promote this concept across the nation of Canada through its intricate network of media contacts and internet mailings.
3) Some news media people are waiting to hear more and are intrigued by the idea of a Grade 8 Class leading its school to do such a good deed.
4) Some political commentators both in Ottawa and Vancouver Island are willing to pick up the story - they like it.
5) A connection is already being made with Canada Post to pick up the completed scrap books and deliver them free of charge to the C.A.F.É. Headquarters in Canada.
6) Therefore; all we would need to do, is lead our own school to complete this scrapbook and the above organizations and their affiliates would do the rest and possibly encourage other schools across the country to do likewise.

www.cafeday.ca