Medina High School students raise $4,000 to fight global water crisis
Service Learning class organized a “Walk for Water” fundraiser benefiting H2O for Life, helping build a rainwater collection system for a Ugandan school while teaching lessons in leadership and global citizenship.
Metro Newspaper Service
Published
Medina High School’s Service Learning class raised more than $4,000 through a Walk for Water event to support clean water access for students in Uganda.Medina City Schools
The Service Learning class at Medina High School recently organized and successfully executed a Walk for Water fundraiser on Wednesday, Oct. 29, raising both critical funds and awareness for the worldwide clean water crisis.
The event was held on behalf of H2O for Life, a nonprofit dedicated to helping the 2.2 billion people worldwide who lack access to clean, usable water. The funds raised will be directed toward helping students in Uganda construct a rainwater collection system, providing them with safe drinking water and reducing the impacts of the water crisis on children in schools.
More than 80 students participated in the event, raising over $4,000. Each participant collected a minimum of $50 in pledges and spent the fourth through 10th periods walking around the track at Ken Dukes Stadium. To simulate the daily reality faced by many around the world, students carried a one-gallon container of water during their walk.
The event served as a powerful lesson in leadership and global citizenship for the student organizers.
“The Service Learning class did an amazing job organizing this fundraiser,” said class instructor Laura Calaiacovo. “From studying the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, then deciding on a fundraiser and working through all the details to make this happen, the kids should be so proud of themselves. It was a great experience for them to practice the leadership skills we learn about in class.”
Students who participated said the experience was rewarding. Senior Autumn Campbell said, “It was so much fun, and people felt like they were making a difference. I would 100% do this again.”
Freshman and Service Learning class member Bella Suster added, “It was a great turnout, and the Service Learning class got to learn how to plan and organize a big event and learn about the water crisis.”
The success of the fundraiser was made possible by the generosity of local community partners who donated prizes and food. Prizes were provided by Bob Evans, Buehler’s, Candy Apple Company, Cane’s, Crumbl, Starbucks and Taco Bell.
Thank you to Courthouse Pizzeria and Marco’s for donating all the pizza, Partake Kitchen for the fruits and vegetables, Anne’s Bakery for the donuts, and Boosters for the hot chocolate and chips for lunch.
