News Release
May 10, 2007
For Immediate Release
School board announces creation of assistance fund for family of school
bus accident victim, John Pham
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board has announced the creation of a fund to assist the family of John Pham, the 10-year old student from St. Alfred School in Mississauga killed in a school bus accident last month.
Cheques should be made out to St. Alfred School, indicating John Pham Memorial Fund and forwarded to St. Alfred School, 3341 Havenwood Drive, Mississauga, ON, L4X 2M2. Donations are being accepted until June 28, 2007.
“John’s tragic death touched a lot of people and we have received many offers of financial assistance for the Pham family from across the country,” said Bruno Iannicca, board chair. “We hope to reciprocate the spirit of giving exhibited by the Phams in donating John’s organs and establishing a means for people to assist the family is a start.”
“We appreciate the kindness, generosity and sense of community we have seen and felt during this difficult time for the Phams and the St. Alfred School family.” added Bruno Iannicca.
Information on how to donate to the John Pham Memorial Fund can also be found on the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board website at www.dpcdsb.org.
John Pham, a ten-year old student at St. Alfred School was one of 28 Grade four students, along with their teacher and two parents, on a field trip to an outdoor education centre when the school bus in which they were travelling was involved in a traffic accident on April 11. John died the next day of injuries suffered in the accident. A number of other students received a range of injuries.
Dufferin-Peel is one of the largest and most diverse school boards in the province with 89,000 students in 141 schools located in Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville. With approximately 10,000 faculty and staff, Dufferin-Peel is also one of the largest employers in the region. It is the goal of the board to provide quality education to students in a setting which fosters Catholic values and beliefs.
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For more information, contact:
Bruce Campbell, Community Relations Manager
(905) 890-0708, ext. 24466 or (905) 609-1480