Young entrepreneurs at PCPS raise $3,000 for families impacted by Hawkesbury fire

Grade 5 and 6 entrepreneurs from Pleasant Corners Public School (PCPS) in Vankleek Hill raised more than $3,000 for families affected by a fire at a Portelance Avenue apartment building in Hawkesbury on November 29. The young entrepreneurs worked throughout December on their small businesses, raising funds through French cafés, baked goods sales, and premium hot chocolate offerings at the annual PCPS Holiday Show, held on Wednesday, December 17.

A handmade quilt by Sylvie Potts was donated as part of the fundraiser, allowing attendees to purchase tickets for a chance to win the festive item. A line of eager families also purchased hot chocolate before filing into the PCPS gymnasium for the student holiday show.

Grade 5 and 6 PCPS students were ready to serve the long line of families some hot chocolate. Photo: Philip Oddi.

Grade 5 and 6 teacher Jennifer Anderson said, “One hundred per cent of the profits from hot chocolate sales and donations go directly to the impacted families.”

Three of the families impacted by the Hawkesbury fire have children who attend PCPS.

“The entrepreneurship program at our school has been running for four years, and we love introducing children to this more simplified form of business through these sales. Students have the opportunity to create their own small business ventures and select a charity or cause of their choice to receive their profits,” Anderson said.

She continued, “This type of program gives students first-hand experience with tangible outcomes to their work, while promoting financial literacy, communication skills, and teamwork. It’s been an important month for our 56 Grade 5 and 6 students.”

Moments after the doors opened for the PCPS Holiday Show. Photo: Philip Oddi.

Anderson added that Principal of Experiential Learning Cam Jones had emailed the group earlier that day, saying he was very impressed with the initiative and had donated $1,000 toward the cause through the experiential learning program.

The “kidpreneurships,” as Anderson calls them, have proven to be a local success and have provided an early preview of the upcoming student small business fair scheduled for June 2026.

“Our kidpreneurship slogan is, ‘When you dream like a kid, anything is possible.’ We’re so proud of our students for doing just that,” Anderson concluded.

Performances by multiple grade levels and staff kept the full house entertained with holiday merriment and carols, including performances by the kidpreneurs themselves.

Photos by Philip Oddi: