CINCINNATI — Lots of school kids raise money for pet projects. Usually, it’s something relating to their school or helping the local animal shelter. One grade school in Ohio is taking a different approach: raising money to help those fighting addiction.
What You Need To Know
- Eighth graders at Immaculate Heart of Mary School raised more than $3,000 to help the Center for Addiction Treatment
- Three students spearheaded the project as part of their work with the nonprofit Magnified Giving
- The money will be used to fund the center's graduation programs
Students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School near Cincinnati learned about philanthropy from Magnified Giving. The nonprofit gives money to student groups who learn about local charities and then give a grant to help.
Immaculate Heart of Mary teachers split their eighth graders into teams and then selected the fundraising project proposed by three boys, John May, Calvin Wisniewski, and Garrett Ray.
“We really just wanted to get the whole community involved in raising money and supporting our organization,” said John. The three chose the Center for Addiction Treatment as their grant recipient.
“It deals with alcohol abuse and drug abuse and we think that was a problem that not everyone acknowledges enough,” said Calvin. He said the boys were impressed by the center’s track record and variety of programs.
Their decision came as a surprise to the center.
“It’s hard to get anyone to care about addiction,” said Patti Webb, the chief executive officer of the Center for Addiction Treatment. “It’s hard to get anyone to care about addicts.”
The students ended up presenting a check for $3,397.03, to be used for the center’s graduation program, where recovering addicts who’ve successfully finished the program celebrate with family and friends.
“Sometimes, the outside world doesn’t look too kindly to people in addiction,” said Keith Woods, a counselor at the center who is also a graduate of their program. He’ll never forget how his daughter spoke at the ceremony.
“My daughter told me she was proud of me for the first time and she loves me,” Woods said. “Recovery don’t just help us, it helps them - the families and friends too.”
While the boys from Immaculate Heart of Mary will all be going to different high schools in the fall, they’re hoping to stay connected and a part of Magnified Giving.
“I’m probably going to do it throughout my high school career and I might even volunteer at shelters when I’m an adult,” Garrett Ray said.
“Working with Magnified Giving has given me a lot of inspiration to go out and help people, so I think I’ll take that with me wherever I go and whatever I do,” Calvin said
“In the future, I’ll know that especially kids like me that we can make a big impact on the world,” John May said.