Jessica Foster
Staff WriterThis holiday season, students at Century Junior High School are giving a vital gift. By raising funds for Heifer International, the youth are feeding mouths of young children who truly need food, they are helping families become self sufficient, they are beginning a cycle of giving and nourishment.
This week, students are working to raise $3000 for the international humanitarian effort.
Ben Lewis is principal at Century Junior High. He said the goal is for each grade (seventh through ninth) to raise $1000 or about $3 per student over the five day fund-raising period this week.
While donations from friends and neighbors are welcome, that is not the intent.
ìOur goal is not for them to go door to door for donations,î Lewis said. ìThey can do an extra project at home to earn money or sell old CDs. It should be a personal gift from them.î
Century makes a tradition of completing a holiday project this time of year. Last year, the effort was to collect for local food shelves.
This year, the effort is more global.
Paulette Perkovich, a teacher at Century, is project coordinator. While the families in foreign nations will benefit from the fundraising campaign, so too will the students.
ìThey have to think globally, they have to think about people around the world,î she said.
She came in contact with Heifer International through a neighboring school doing a similar project.
ìIt helps people help themselves,î she said of Heifer International. ìIt not only gives them the animal but teaches them what to do with it. Itís a continuing gift.î
For example, if Heifer International gives someone a flock of chickens this year, they may have several chickensóand the resulting eggsóin short order.
The entire school is involved in the project. Additionally, the student council is leading the effort, the SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) team is planning a Bowling for Bovines event to raise money and the video club filmed a public service announcement in support of the effort.
If they reach $5000, they can purchase an ark of animals. The ark includes two sheep, two trios of rabbits, two pigs, two oxen, two flocks of chicks, two beehives, two trios of ducks, two goats, two guinea pigs, two water buffalo, two cows, two llamas, two donkeys, two camels and two flocks of geese.
It is unknown what country or area will benefit from Centuryís work.
ìIt will go where it is needed most, to every country in the world that has a need,î Perkovich said.
There are incentives for reaching the fundraising goal. If daily goals are met, incentives such as no homework, treats and wearing hats and slippers will be rewarded. If grades meet their $1000 goal teachers will wear crazy hair such as spiked or multi-colored.
Information
For more information on Heifer International, visit www.heifer.org or call 1-800-698-2511.
Top of Page
