Five Years of Service, One Lasting Impact: L.A. Matheson Students Champion Senior Care

SURREY, B.C. Canada – What began as a small act of kindness during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into a remarkable story of youth leadership, community service, and cultural pride.

For the past five years, students at L.A. Matheson Secondary School in Surrey have been raising funds for Guru Nanak Diversity Village (GNDV), a culturally sensitive long-term care facility being developed by Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society. Since launching the campaign in 2021, students, staff, families, and community members have contributed more than $18000 toward the project, demonstrating the power of young people to make a lasting impact. 

The fundraising initiative was first created during the pandemic when traditional Vaisakhi celebrations were cancelled and many seniors faced social isolation. Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Sikh Heritage Month and the values of Vaisakhi, students in the Punjabi language program chose to focus on seva, the Sikh principle of selfless service. 

"Our students wanted to give back to the community and support seniors who were especially vulnerable during COVID-19," explained Gurpreet Kaur Bains, Languages Department Head at L.A. Matheson. What started with an ambitious goal of raising $700 quickly exceeded expectations when students collected $7,000 in their first campaign. 

Rather than ending after one year, the effort became an annual tradition. Every April, during Sikh Heritage Month, students reach out to family members, neighbours, local businesses, and community organizations to seek donations. Through bake sales, awareness campaigns, and direct community outreach, they continue to build support for a cause close to their hearts.  

The reason behind the fundraising is deeply personal for many students. In Punjabi families and much of the South Asian diaspora families, grandparents often play a central role in family life. Many L.A. Matheson students live with or regularly care for their grandparents and witnessed firsthand the emotional toll that social isolation had on seniors during the pandemic. Supporting a long-term care home designed to honour seniors' cultural identities became a cause they could strongly connect with.  

Guru Nanak Diversity Village is more than a care facility. The 125-bed long-term care home was envisioned as a place where seniors can receive care in an environment that respects their language, traditions, culture, and values. For many students, the cause is deeply personal.

"Many of us have grown up with our grandparents living in the same home or playing a big role in our lives," said Grade 11 student Harleen Kaur, one of the campaign volunteers."Supporting Guru Nanak Diversity Village is our way of showing respect and gratitude to the generation that raised us. It feels good knowing that our fundraising will help seniors live with dignity, comfort, and a sense of belonging."

The project resonates strongly with L.A. Matheson students because many witnessed the challenges their grandparents faced during the pandemic. The experience helped them appreciate the importance of quality senior care and the need for culturally welcoming spaces where elders can age with dignity.Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2024, the students were recognized by Premier David Eby for their fundraising contributions and community leadership, an acknowledgement that highlighted the impact of youth-driven philanthropy in British Columbia.

Today, the fundraiser has become one of L.A. Matheson's most meaningful annual traditions. It combines cultural celebration with community action and teaches students that leadership is not measured by age but by a willingness to serve others. the campaign enters its next chapter, the legacy of these students extends far beyond the dollars raised. Their story is one of compassion, intergenerational respect, and a commitment to ensuring that elders receive the care and dignity they deserve. 

In a world often focused on individual achievement, the students of L.A. Matheson Secondary have shown that some of the greatest successes come from working together for the benefit of others. Through their commitment to Guru Nanak Diversity Village, they are helping build not only a care home, but a stronger and more caring community for generations to come.