WATCH: Regina school principal kisses alpaca for a good cause

The students at Imperial Community School were in for a surprise Thursday afternoon.

They got to watch their principal, Danielle Istace, kissing an alpaca.

It’s all because the students raised $1,031 for United Way Regina, an organization aiming to help the community’s most vulnerable. The organization also helps support schools like Imperial.

Imperial Community School principal Danielle Istace kisses Anna the alpaca:

“It’s an easy cause to want to do something for, and our students here understand that firsthand, and they understand how important it is to bring that money back,” Istace said.

As for the kiss, Istace said she was nervous at first, but everything went well.

“As the days got closer, I was definitely thinking about kissing the alpaca a lot more and hoping that it would be really friendly,” she said.

“As that moment happened, it was great. The students were pretty excited, and I think the alpaca was pretty co-operative today, so that was great.”

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The alpacas were brought into the school by Josef Buttigieg of Fenek Farms.

Istace said the fundraiser had different levels. For each $100 the students raised, a different animal was chosen.

She said Josef was willing to bring a chicken, duck, sheep, cow or alpaca, depending how much the kids raised.

Last year, the kids raised $397, so this year’s goal was set at $600. The kids smashed that goal, which meant she had to pucker up for the alpaca.

Istace said one child was even kind enough to donate money that they were saving for a personal item. She said moments like that make her proud to teach at Imperial.

“Student heart definitely comes through in moments like this,” she said. “To have a student be so selfless and do something like that, recognizing that it’s going to such a great cause, just kind of reaffirms what our our vision is here, and what we’re trying to do here at Imperial School.”

Danielle Istace and Eric Benjamin both said they’re proud of the kids they teach at Imperial School. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)

Before the big smooch, vice principal Eric Benjamin, gave a presentation to the students about honesty. It’s part of the grandfather teachings the school does every month with its students. One student from each grade was given a prize for their display of honesty in the classroom.

“It’s really nice to know what they’re working towards,” he said. “All of the virtues are kind of about being a good person, so we like to see that, and they have that as a goal.”

The students weren’t the only ones fundraising. The school’s teachers hosted their own silent auction and even played their own version of ‘Survivor,’ which the kids also enjoyed.

In total, with contributions from both the teachers and students, the school raised $2170.60 for United Way Regina.

Some kids even got a change to put a pie in the face of their teachers, including Benjamin.

“I decided the pie was just fine, but I don’t get quite as sticky. I don’t quite have the volume up here that (Istace ) does,” Benjamin said, gesturing to his bald head with a laugh.

“It’s a little bit easier for me.”

Istace and Benjamin said they’re proud of their students.

“It really shows that our kids can think of others and our families to send money for something like this,” Benjamin said. “So I’m really proud to work here right now.”

He said the monthly assemblies are an important part of the school’s goal to create a sense of belonging at the school.

Vice principal Eric Benjamin (right) was victim of a whipped-cream pie in the face for the school’s United Way Regina fundraiser. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)