From a Slumberparty to Awareness-Raising Experts
June 16th, 2008 at 3:37 pm | posted by Virginia Simmons
On March 28th, we attended a presentation at Saint Luke’s Parish where we learned about the ONE campaign. The stories and faces in the photographs touched our hearts like never before. That very night, we persuaded our parents for a sleepover and started brainstorming on how we might develop a plan for a fundraiser at our school. It was important for us to raise awareness as well as money. We believed in the vision that ONE person can make a difference, and we were determined to make that vision a reality.
Our ideas started with selling cupcakes and before we knew it, we were designing t-shirts and wrist bands to sell at our school. With assistance from Abby Warren and Caroline Eckersdorff, Student Council Advisors, announcements were made everyday and a power point was played in every homeroom. We were up and running in less than a month and the ONE vision was contagious! Students, faculty, and staff all contributed to make our fundraiser a tremendous success. To culminate the week, we sponsored a walk- a– thon at school in which many students participated. . With everyone’s support we were able to raise $3,400 dollars in four days!
Our vision and dream came true. We were able to raise awareness and money at Middlesex and we hope to make a difference in people’s lives in Africa, one by one. We plan to hold our next fundraiser in the fall. Stay tuned!
-Mara Donoghue, Catherine Wilcock and Kate Ferguson
(The money Mara, Catherine and Kate raised for ONE will be donated to the group Africare.)
June 16th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Good going, Mara & Catherine & Kate! The money that you raised will go a long way to making a positive difference in people’s lives in Africa.
This story reminded me of something very special.
Today, 16 June, is commemorated every year as the Day of the African Child. It was established by the U.N. as a way for the world to focus on the specific challenges that face African children.
June 16 was chosen as the date for this Day because this is the day in 1976 when the Soweto uprisings began in then apartheid South Africa.
It was the black children of South Africa, relegated to live their lives in degrading poverty, who rose up peacefully to challenge the white racist government of South Africa. Many of these children would lose their lives during the Soweto uprisings.
It was the Soweto uprisings in 1976 which turned me, as then 16 year old young woman, into a long life African activist.
I hope that this process is happening in your hearts and that thirty years from now, we can count on the three of you to be as dedicated to making the world a better place for everyONE as y’all are today.
All the Best, debbie
www.mpwn-uganda.org
June 16th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Mara, Cat, and Kate- you guys are amazing! You did such a good job with the fundraiser and it’s great that you gave to this charity. The Walk-a-Thon was a lot of fun and I’m so proud of you three.- Jen
June 16th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
This is sooo cool! U guys did such a great job with the fundraiser!! Love you guys!
June 17th, 2008 at 4:33 am
This is sooo cool!
June 17th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I am so proud of you all. Not only were you able to raise funds for a terribly important cause but you made it a learning experience and brought the whole school along with you. I hope you continue to be leaders for change in our community and beyond!
June 18th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Kate,
I am so proud of you! This is amazing! I actually just participated in a STOP HUNGER NOW project to send 10,000 meals overseas. The guy that headed the project was talking about how ONE person really can make a difference and that when you look at the huge picture of world hunger its seems impossible to conquer but when you take one step at a time anything can happen. We had a group of about 30 ppl and we packaged 10,000 meals in 2 hours! And that 10,000 meals can turn into 20,000 and 30,000 and so on just like the money you raised for the ONE campiagn can multiply! I really and so proud of you and your friends for stepping up and being a part of something this big. I love you and hope to see you soon!
Love you and your family,
Annie Blake