Kennedy and Massey Muslim Student Associations Raise Funds for United Way

Charity is one of the Muslim principles during the holy month of Ramadan. In 2022 students from Vincent Massey’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) raised $5,500 for the Windsor Downtown Mission. This year, the group partnered with the MSA from W.C. Kennedy Collegiate Institute to expand the initiative and continue to spread good will, giving back to the Windsor-Essex community.

KCI secondary teacher, Abdul Merhi, noted that Kennedy students were inspired by the work being done by the Massey MSA and were motivated to join them in their efforts. The group selected United Way as the recipient of their donation for 2023, ensuring the funds were supporting young people and education in our community.

Merhi elaborated on the students’ efforts, “Both MSAs came together throughout the year to plan what this fundraiser would look like and what the message behind it would be. The overall focal point of the fundraiser is to point out that Ramadan is not only focused on fasting, but to give back to those in need. Students made sure that this was the driving force behind the fundraiser this year. As students got together, they planned out how they would send this message to their schools, how they would send that message to staff and how they would get administrative support to do all of it. Thankfully it’s been very successful.”

MSA members from Kennedy and Massey presented a cheque for $6,500 to the United Way.

United Way CEO Lorraine Goddard expressed the organization’s gratitude for the students’ efforts. “We’re really very grateful for this generous donation from the MSA. These dollars are going to support our students in the On Track to Success program who are linked to our Cradle to Careers strategy which is really about supporting kids from the time they are born until the start of their career.”

Congratulations to Nabeeha, Safa, Shahad, Ahdi, Hadi, Afnan, Ayah and all members of the Muslim Student Associations at both Kennedy and Massey for their extensive fundraising efforts and ongoing dedication to our community.