Graduate students at Cell & Systems Biology have spent this challenging year working from home since March and taking distanced shifts in the lab since July. On December 11th, they gathered online to see each other, to spread some holiday cheer and to raise money through the CSBGU Raffle. They raised a total of $880.00 for the CHUM FM Christmas Wish Toy Drive. Masters candidate Shanelle Mullany drew the names for prizes including an espresso maker, a donated Thermo-Fisher gift basket, a chocolate gift basket donated by Wisent Bioproducts and 2 donated subscriptions to Biorender. Gift cards were also donated by Starbucks, Subway, Baskin Robbins, and Tim Hortons. The CSBGU feels that “We are glad to have the opportunity to give back after such a trying year. Happy Holidays!”
CSB staff and faculty normally gather with the graduate students to celebrate the holiday, but this year the Department declined the holiday party and doubled the money raised by the CSBGU to donate $1760 to the Daily Bread Food Bank . “There’s a lot of need this year,” said CSB Chair Nick Provart in commending the fundraising efforts of the students.