Students from Rochester, Rochester Adams, and Stoney Creek High Schools (all schools within the Rochester Community School District) raised a combined total of more than $74,000 for ShelterBox USA during a Charity Week fundraiser.
RCS high-school students raise more than $74,000 during Charity Week
“Each year, our student council selects a charitable cause to provide support. We combined forces with Rochester and Stoney Creek high schools this year, and the results are quite impressive. This is what happens when you have some great students who are passionate about helping others and making a difference,” said Rochester Adams Student Council Advisor and Social Studies Teacher Bryan Lindstrom.
ShelterBox provides shelter and life-saving supplies to people who have lost most, if not all, of their belongings following a disaster. Aid comes in the form of family-sized tents and essential tools to start repairing and rebuilding homes. Additionally, the organization provides items that help transform a shelter into a home, like cooking sets, solar lights, blankets, water filtration systems, and activity sets for children.
ShelterBox is currently providing aid to those displaced by disaster or conflict in Malawi, Syria, Ethiopia, Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, and Somaliland.
“We are astounded by the amount of funds the students were able to raise in a week’s time,” said Kerri Murray, president of ShelterBox USA. “This donation from Rochester youth will help transform the lives of families left with nothing after disaster or conflict.”
In addition to sponsorships from local businesses, students raised money throughout Charity Week by hosting a variety of events. These included an assembly with a “miracle minute” to encourage peers to donate their change in 60 seconds, t-shirt sales, dance ticket sales, a carnival with an entrance fee, and a pay-to-play dodgeball tournament.
“Our students take top honors in nearly every field of study and their hard work is matched by their kindness and generosity,” said Superintendent Robert Shaner, Ph.D. “We couldn’t be more proud.”
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