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Fair Putting the ‘fun’ in fundraiser
Wantagh Middle School students fight poverty with a funny twist
Wantagh Middle School students donned fake mustaches, fancy scarves and other props as they participated in the first United States Red Nose Day, an international campaign against poverty.
During their lunch periods on May 21, students could donate $1 and take a picture either solo or with friends in front of a black backdrop. They had numerous props to pick from including paper balloons and popcorn containers, hats, oversized glasses and, of course, red noses.
The event was organized by the Student Council. “It’s important that you do things for your community and to help other people around the world,” seventh-grader Kaitlin Steingruebner said. “We’re all contributing.”
Money was donated to the Red Nose Day Fund, a program of Comic Relief. The funds will be spread out to charities around the world to help children living in poverty, and to provide clean drinking water for people in third-world countries.
That night, the inaugural Red Nose Day three-hour entertainment TV special appeared on NBC featuring superstar actors, comedians and musicians performing a variety of acts including songs, original sketch comedy and parodies.
Wantagh Middle School had its small part in the massive fundraising effort, which was designed to mix comedy with a serious subject. Student Council member Laura Keltan said she was hopeful the event would be a success and that her classmates understood the importance of their donation.
“They’ll know they’re raising money for other people,” she said, “and those people are going to be happy they got what they needed.”
Steingruebner added that it is important for her and her classmates to understand there are a lot of children less fortunate than those who live in Wantagh. “I want them to just be aware of how lucky we are to have what we do,” she said.
She noted that the Student Council does a lot to help others throughout the year, and this activity helped fulfill the organization’s mission. For Christmas, she said, Student Council adopted a family, and the members purchased clothes and toys.
High School seniors Emily Fenter and Valerie Powell, students in the Advanced Placement photography class, took the pictures, which were then put into a slideshow and shown in the lobby.
Gina Barodin, the Student Council adviser, said the middle school wanted to do something simple yet fun to raise money for Red Nose Day. She noted that with only a minimal amount of money spent on the props, most of what was raised could go to charity.
“We’ve raised a lot of money,” she said, “and the kids are having a lot of fun with it.”
