Middle Schoolers Join in Season of Giving
Hrdlicka Leads Local Fundraising Effort
Launch the media gallery 1 playerA group of Wahoo Middle School 8th graders recently helped ring bells at a local Wahoo store and raised a little extra cash for donating along the way.
One particular student learned a whole lot more about the power of giving.
WMS 8th grade student Rachel Hrdlicka wanted to help change people’s lives this holiday season. She suggested that her classmates join her in raising money to place in the Salvation Army kettles. She organized a school bake sale as well as a homeroom door-decorating contest and raised nearly $150. She also organized teams of classmates to ring bells at Wahoo Super grocery store on December 4.
Launch the media gallery 2 playerHistorically, the Salvation Army was started by a man named William Booth in 1867. An 1874 annual report stated that Booth’s mission was being carried out by a volunteer army. He crossed out the word “volunteer” and penned in “salvation”, and thus the Salvation Army was born.
The red kettle tradition got its start in 1891. Captain Joseph McFee, a Salvation Army officer, came up with a unique way to raise funds for a Christmas dinner for the poor in San Francisco, CA. He put a pot at the Oakland ferry landing asking for donations.
Rachel Hrdlicka understands what both Mr. Booth and Mr. McFee must have felt like.
“Being a leader isn’t always an easy job,” the 8th grader revealed. “I was worried about whether my decisions were going to be right or wrong.”
In the end, though, she said that the hard work was worth it.
“We helped a lot of people and I look forward to doing it again next year,” she added.