Calendar fundraiser to support guide dog training and Bert Bowes students

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A calendar fundraiser is aiming to help Bert Bowes Middle School students in need while also supporting the training of guide dogs across Canada.

Navenda Wright, head of Bert Bowes Middle School’s junior alternate program and recent Teacher of the Month recipient, has partnered with the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides to sell 2026 calendars. 

Each calendar, containing pictures of puppies who are training to become guide dogs, costs $20, with half the proceeds supporting the training and care of guide dogs and the other half going toward Wright’s school program.

“We don’t get any funding for our junior alternate program,” explained Wright. “Any of the money I use for things like food, field trips or even buying sneakers for a student has to come from fundraising.”

According to Wright, the initiative began two years ago when she connected with Daniel Smith, a representative from the Lions Foundation and owner of Atticus, a trained guide dog.

This year’s fundraiser officially kicked off in September and runs until the end of November, with calendars being delivered in December.

Smith and his family will be selling calendars in person at Canadian Tire on October 3rd, with Wright joining them on October 4th. Atticus will also be on hand to meet families.

“When Atticus doesn’t have his harness on, people can pet him and the kids love that,” Wright said.

According to Wright, the Canadian Tire events will run from the opening of the store to closing time, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Calendars can also be purchased until November 30th through the fundraiser’s website.