Brandon Twp.-Lianna Riley and Courtney Rose are just two of the many Brandon High School students who will support making dreams a reality for Michigan children this month.
They hope you will join them in their efforts.
BHS Charity Week is Feb. 9-13, hosted by the Brandon Student Council, and this year’s chosen beneficiary is the Believe in Miracles Foundation.
‘I like that this charity is Michigan-based,? said sophomore Courtney Rose. ‘It’s helping children reach their wishes… I think just giving back to people who truly need it is what is important to me and seeing that our school is involved with other organizations and charity work.?
Lianna Riley, a senior and co-chair with Rose, suggested Believe in Miracles as this year’s charity. She is friends with Nancy Kast, whose younger sister, Jenna, was the inspiration for the foundation.
According to believeinmiracles.org, the foundation was started in 2005 by then 5th graders, Brett Kast and J.D. Sterba. They were inspired by Brett’s youngest sister Jenna, who was battling brain cancer. ‘While Brett and his sister Nancy would accompany Jenna on her trips to Children’s Hospital, Brett became increasingly aware of the suffering and hardships many children face. As a result, he became determined to help these children in some way.?
Brett and J.D. began designing and selling wristbands and used the proceeds to buy a gift ‘for a child that was suffering, with the hope that they could forget about their illness for a while.?
Jenna Kast died July 4, 2010, but the 501c3 non-profit organization continues to believe in miracles, making dreams come true for seriously ill children in Michigan, providing them with requests ranging from blenders to laptop computers to trips to Disney World.
To raise their goal of $6,000 to give to Believe in Miracles to brighten these children’s lives, the BHS Student Council has planned several events for charity week:
n Breakfast vendors? breakfast items may be purchased for $1 each during first hour at BHS on Monday, Feb. 9.
n Powerpuff volleyball tournament at 7 p.m., Feb. 9, at the BHS main gym. Admission $3.
n Coffee Shop Night, with musical entertainment, 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11 in the BHS cafeteria.
n Teacher Jail and Bail, Thursday, Feb. 12. Students will be raising money during the week in their 4th hour class. The two teachers for whom the most money has been raised will be put in ‘jail? during 4th hour on Thursday.
nMiracle Minute at the varsity girls and boys basketball games, Friday Feb. 13. During halftime, a minute will be put on the clock, during which student council members will be going through the bleachers collecting money.
nAll week long, bracelets will be sold during all lunches for $1.
‘This is an opportunity for kids to get involved in the community and in Michigan and help people in need,? said Tim Pizzala, BHS teacher and student council adviser. ‘We’re all pretty busy, but helping others out is awesome.?
Anyone wishing to make a donation can write a check payable to Brandon Schools. Note ‘Believe in Miracles? in the memo line and mail to: Brandon High School, 1025 S. Ortonville Road, Ortonville, MI 48462. For more information, call 248-627-1800.