Students sponsor auction to help orphans in Africa
November 25, 2009
By Christopher Huber
By Christopher Huber
Students in the Eastlake Invisible Children Club are gearing up for their annual benefit auction. The growing student-led club is increasing its efforts this year to get the word out about its cause: to raise as much money as possible to help displaced children in Uganda, said club president Christian Cook.
Eastlake’s Invisible Children group is planning the silent auction for Dec. 4 or 5, he said, depending on venue availability, and it is seeking donations — items or money.
“You don’t need to donate a large amount to make a big difference,” Cook said in an e-mail to the Review. “Uganda is a very poor country and even a little bit goes a long way over there.”
Although violence in the region has displaced nearly 2 million people, “a better life for these people is closer than most people think,” Cook said.
Eastlake’s fundraising efforts happen year-round, but they are currently working to be the top fundraiser in the Pacific Northwest. One student from the top school earns a trip to Uganda with Invisible Children workers, according to Cook and Invisible Children.
Cook said the Schools for Schools challenge fundraising deadline is Dec. 18.
Eastlake’s Invisible Children’s club began in the 2007-2008 school year as former student Jessica Kowalchuk’s senior project. The idea came up after the whole school watched the Invisible Children documentary. The group only raised about $150 in the first year, but helped raise awareness of the tragedies in northern Uganda. Eastlake students raised approximately $4,300 at a December 2008 benefit auction. Eastlake’s club was one of the top Invisible Children fundraisers in the Pacific Northwest region — about 250 schools, according to organization representative Colleen Dougherty.
Three young filmmakers formed the nonprofit Invisible Children, Inc. in 2005 after receiving an overwhelming response to their film, which documented the lives of night commuters and child soldiers in northern Uganda in 2003.
They formed the organization to give concerned people an opportunity to help the situation, according to the group’s Web site.
Since then, the organization has partnered with schools and communities across the United States and Uganda to raise awareness about the people suffering from the conflict in Uganda and raised money and donated books to help displaced children receive an education.
Invisible Children representatives travel the world to show the motivational film and talk to school audiences about the situation in Uganda. They sponsor benefit concerts, as well.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
Students in the Eastlake Invisible Children Club are gearing up for their annual benefit auction. The growing student-led club is increasing its efforts this year to get the word out about its cause: to raise as much money as possible to help displaced children in Uganda, said club president Christian Cook.
Eastlake’s Invisible Children group is planning the silent auction for Dec. 4 or 5, he said, depending on venue availability, and it is seeking donations — items or money.
“You don’t need to donate a large amount to make a big difference,” Cook said in an e-mail to the Review. “Uganda is a very poor country and even a little bit goes a long way over there.”
Although violence in the region has displaced nearly 2 million people, “a better life for these people is closer than most people think,” Cook said.
Eastlake’s fundraising efforts happen year-round, but they are currently working to be the top fundraiser in the Pacific Northwest. One student from the top school earns a trip to Uganda with Invisible Children workers, according to Cook and Invisible Children.
Cook said the Schools for Schools challenge fundraising deadline is Dec. 18.
Eastlake’s Invisible Children’s club began in the 2007-2008 school year as former student Jessica Kowalchuk’s senior project. The idea came up after the whole school watched the Invisible Children documentary. The group only raised about $150 in the first year, but helped raise awareness of the tragedies in northern Uganda. Eastlake students raised approximately $4,300 at a December 2008 benefit auction. Eastlake’s club was one of the top Invisible Children fundraisers in the Pacific Northwest region — about 250 schools, according to organization representative Colleen Dougherty.
Three young filmmakers formed the nonprofit Invisible Children, Inc. in 2005 after receiving an overwhelming response to their film, which documented the lives of night commuters and child soldiers in northern Uganda in 2003.
They formed the organization to give concerned people an opportunity to help the situation, according to the group’s Web site.
Since then, the organization has partnered with schools and communities across the United States and Uganda to raise awareness about the people suffering from the conflict in Uganda and raised money and donated books to help displaced children receive an education.
Invisible Children representatives travel the world to show the motivational film and talk to school audiences about the situation in Uganda. They sponsor benefit concerts, as well.
Get involved
Those interested in donating can visit www.s4s.invisiblechildren.com. Click “Donate Now.” Under “Select a School” type in “Eastlake High School.”
You can also send a check or cash to: EHS Invisible Children, 333 239th Way S.E. Sammamish, WA 98074.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.
Comments
One Response to “Students sponsor auction to help orphans in Africa”
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
[...] the original: Students sponsor auction to help orphans in Africa : The Sammamish … [...]