Pella Middle School 7th Graders raised hundreds of dollars for six charities this academic year.
The students presented checks to the non-profits at a special ceremony at the middle school on Friday afternoon. Skate for Change, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Many Hands 4 Haiti, the Marion County Humane Society, and the Pella Food Shelf were among those that received a $265 check.
Mason Diaz-Bandera says that it felt great to work hard and give back to so many causes.
“I think it was just amazing to be able to donate to all of these charities and to still have some for us,” Diaz Bandera says. “It was just nice to see it all pay off and to help somebody else, instead of just us.”
Priyasha Bose says it shows that anyone at any age can make a difference in their community and beyond.
“It was kind of cool, because we always think of ourselves as just kids, but when saw that total we were just amazed that if we come together we can raise a lot of money to use for a lot of different things,” Bose says.
Hanna Kendall says many of the charity choices came from their Go Make a Difference projects in the Social Studies class. Volunteering and donating has inspired her to do more.
“I chose hunger in Haiti, and so I volunteered at the Mango Tree, which I do regularly anyway,” Kendall says. “I think [the volunteering] helped make a difference in our personalities and learning that not everyone has what we have the privilege to obtain, and I think it helped us learn a sense of responsibility.”
Proceeds came from concession stand sales at events in the middle school, with student workers volunteering their time to sell food. Students were also required to present a business plan for a start-up loan from Community 1st Credit Union. The 7th graders were able to raise enough money to pay back those funds, present $1600 to six charities, and for an end of year party.