Middle School Students Raise $576 for Local VFW Christmas Drive
Smith Leads Charge to Aid Area Families in Need
Launch the media gallery 1 playerWMS 8th grader Andrew Smith had a vision. He wanted to find a way to put a toy into the hands of children who might not otherwise get one this Christmas. He knew that he would need funding and he knew that he could count on his classmates at Wahoo Middle School.
Together, Smith and his middle school classmates raised $576 in a little more than a month.
“I was shocked,” Smith said when the final total was announced.
There was a lot of planning and coordination that went into making the fundraiser a success. First, Smith went to all nine homerooms in the middle school. He explained the program and asked each homeroom to consider making a pledge.
After all homerooms turned in their pledges, Smith encouraged each class to get creative in striving to reach their pledge goal. Some homerooms allowed students to pay $1 to wear their favorite hat during class one day. Other rooms raided the couch cushions at room and collected other loose change. The entire middle school had the opportunity to pay $1 and wear their favorite Halloween costume to school on October 31. There were many other creative and fun ways that kids collected money.
“The hard work was certainly worth it and I will do this again in the future,” Smith gladly stated.
The money raised was turned over to VFW Christmas Drive Coordinator and Wahoo Middle School Principal Jason Libal. All of the money raised will go towards helping families in Saunders County this Christmas.
“The leadership and thoughtfulness shown by Andrew throughout this project was amazing. In my time involved in education, I have seen very few students show this type of initiative. Andrew and the middle school students have assisted in making Christmas great for many more families this year,” Libal commented.
Middle School Students Raise $576 for Local VFW Christmas Drive
Jean Tesinsky Head StartCoordinator | Dec 02, 2009 | Awesome job Andrew and Middle School Students!!! What a great project and what outstanding results!! It's always great to read about young people who are involved in positive ways. |
Darcie Frederick Nurse | Dec 02, 2009 | Andrew...dad and I are so very proud of you! We are truely blessed to have such a giving, thoughtful son! |
Jennifer Von Busch Crete NebraskaStay @ home mother | Dec 03, 2009 | This just is such a wonderful example of what this joyous season is really all about! Great job to Andrew for being attentive to your vision and kudos to all the Middle School classes!! Blessings to you all..for you have helped to put smiles in alot of hearts!! |