Royal Oak Middle School hosted its first-ever Clothes Swap Fundraiser in February, and it was a resounding success, with more than 1,500 donated items—including clothes, shoes, accessories, and books all finding new homes. Unsold items were shared with families in need and local charities, and the event raised over $1,000 to support student extracurricular activities. 

Beyond fundraising, the initiative delivered meaningful environmental benefits by encouraging reuse over new purchases, helping reduce water and energy consumption as well as carbon emissions linked to clothing production. In total, reusing 1,500 items avoided 9 tonnes of carbon pollution (equivalent to removing two cars from the road for a year), saved the amount of water found in an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and reduced textile waste from entering landfills. This event stands as a powerful example of 
what a community can achieve when it takes action together!