Hilltop High and Eastlake High lead with innovative fundraising activities
Students in the Sweetwater Union High School District raised nearly $23,000 for organizations providing relief to Haitian earthquake victims. Leading the way were Hilltop High and Eastlake High students who raised a combined $13,969.66 through creative student/faculty fundraisers.
At Hilltop High, students participated in the “Hurting for Haiti” campaign—challenging teachers who raised the most money to do funny tricks at a student assembly last week. Students and teachers could put the “hurt” on teachers by stuffing their donation jars full of coins and bills. The top three fundraisers—teachers John Salts, Brian Hirakawa and John Nascimento—dressed in outrageous costumes on the day of the assembly and danced to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.”
Students also paid $1 for a raffle ticket to get out of Saturday school, or for a raffle ticket for a chance to throw a pie in the faces of Principal Ernie Zamudio or Assistant Principal Sheryl Sanchez.
Final tally: $7,094.69. The proceeds were sent to Hands4-Others, a teen-based philanthropic group from Santa Barbara raising money to provide clean water to villages in third-world countries.
During the assembly, one of the founding members talked to the Hilltop High students via a videoconference.
“We are extremely grateful for your fundraising,” said Spencer Dusebout. “Everybody here at Hands4Others is inspired by it. I want you to know that you’ve raised enough to provide clean water to 5,000 people in Haiti.”
“When we’re all hurting financially, for you all to raise this much money is truly commendable,” Zamudio said. “Thank you for believing in this organization and for taking a stand.”
At Eastlake High, male teachers on campus did not shave for three weeks as part of the “We Hair about Haiti.” Additionally, students made various pledges to their fellow Titans if they would donate more money. Some students shaved their heads, wore their Boy Scout uniforms, dressed as movie characters and other stunts. The top fundraiser was Alfredo Acosta’s senior English class.
Final tally: $6,874.97, donated to Doctors Without Borders.
Other school donations include:
Bonita Vista High, $1,283 to UNICEF and shoes to Soles4Souls
Castle Park High, $228.70 to the American Red Cross
Montgomery High, $1,150 to UNICEF and shoes to Soles4Souls
Otay Ranch High, $500 to UNICEF
Southwest Middle, $1,738.73 to American Red Cross
Sweetwater High, $70 to Catholic Charities, $2,526.21 to Doctors Without Borders
San Ysidro Adult School, $1,500 to Doctors Without Borders.