Schools
Worthington Kilbourne steps up with $10,134 in charitable giving
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| SNP photo by Dan
Trittschuh Worthington Kilbourne High School students (from left) Kayla Henry, Chamara McGee and Brandi Vauls wrap gifts for the school's Adopt A Family project Thursday, Dec. 18, in the school commons. |
* Students buy gifts and groceries for 65 area families.
By PAMELA WILLIS
Worthington Kilbourne High School students carried
compassion to a new high this year, raising more than
$10,000 over 10 school days for their annual Holiday
Compassion Project.
"It was kind of scary, when the money kept coming in and they were bringing in $900 and $1,100 a day," said Ralph King, student activities director. "This is the highest total that the WKHS community has ever contributed to this fundraising campaign."
Led by the student council, the fundraiser's final count was $10,134.95.
King thinks the economic downturn may have contributed to the school community's generosity.
"While it seems counterintuitive that contributions would go up during an economic downturn, it has been suggested that because people may know so many families are in a genuinely bad situation, that those that can manage to are willing to give more," he said.
King said students shopped judiciously Wednesday, Dec. 17, and ended up spending $130 per child for 65 children in 24 families, with the rest of the money going to grocery gift cards for the families.
"Something that also put us over the top in funds was the contribution of eight executives from a local Worthington business," he said. "They received $30 Wal-mart gift cards as a Christmas bonus, and they all wrapped them up and sent them to the school."
King said the school commons was filled with presents, wrapping paper and bows Thursday, Dec. 18.
"The kids wrapped gifts on Thursday and the gifts and gift cards were delivered to the families on Saturday, Dec. 20," he said.
Kilbourne has been conducting Adopt A Kid fundraisers for the past 17 years, as a part of the district's Adopt A Family project, which helped 480 children and 165 families this year.
District nurses identify local residents in need, ask for a wish list from the families, then ask schools and local groups if they'd like to sponsor some of the families, said nurse Kathy Segal, who called this year's need "extreme."
Segal said St. Michael Church is the largest sponsor each year, with Worthington Kilbourne and other groups and schools, such as Evening Street and Wilson Hill elementary schools, also raising funds for the project.
"It's been 17 years now, and we want to continue doing this for needy families," King said.
"It was kind of scary, when the money kept coming in and they were bringing in $900 and $1,100 a day," said Ralph King, student activities director. "This is the highest total that the WKHS community has ever contributed to this fundraising campaign."
Led by the student council, the fundraiser's final count was $10,134.95.
King thinks the economic downturn may have contributed to the school community's generosity.
"While it seems counterintuitive that contributions would go up during an economic downturn, it has been suggested that because people may know so many families are in a genuinely bad situation, that those that can manage to are willing to give more," he said.
King said students shopped judiciously Wednesday, Dec. 17, and ended up spending $130 per child for 65 children in 24 families, with the rest of the money going to grocery gift cards for the families.
"Something that also put us over the top in funds was the contribution of eight executives from a local Worthington business," he said. "They received $30 Wal-mart gift cards as a Christmas bonus, and they all wrapped them up and sent them to the school."
King said the school commons was filled with presents, wrapping paper and bows Thursday, Dec. 18.
"The kids wrapped gifts on Thursday and the gifts and gift cards were delivered to the families on Saturday, Dec. 20," he said.
Kilbourne has been conducting Adopt A Kid fundraisers for the past 17 years, as a part of the district's Adopt A Family project, which helped 480 children and 165 families this year.
District nurses identify local residents in need, ask for a wish list from the families, then ask schools and local groups if they'd like to sponsor some of the families, said nurse Kathy Segal, who called this year's need "extreme."
Segal said St. Michael Church is the largest sponsor each year, with Worthington Kilbourne and other groups and schools, such as Evening Street and Wilson Hill elementary schools, also raising funds for the project.
"It's been 17 years now, and we want to continue doing this for needy families," King said.
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