What's going on? (FIVE) - Pennies for Peace

In March 2011, I was approached by a fellow school mate and neighbour, Sophie Stretch (7th Grade), who asked for help in putting into action her fundraising plans for the charity Pennies for Peace. Of course, I enthusiastically jumped at an opportunity to help a charity which supports people around the world. We meet for a couple of hours every Tuesday after school to plan events, or make posters. We make a point of meeting regularly so that we can discuss how things are going and what we can do to improve some aspects of the project. The Pennies for Peace fundraising will consist of the distribution of Penny Collection jars around school as well as nearby Delis and Bakeries & the organization of sales - bake sales, chocolate sales, ice cream sales etc. Awareness of the aims of the charity will be shared in school assemblies and posters. I am optimistic about this project as it is clear that Sophie has great dedication to the project, and I know I too, want to do anything to make it as successful as possible, for Sophie and for children's education in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Below, I have attached an email which I sent to inform the school of Sophie and I's goals for this year and also some links for your information on the charity itself:

Dear Mr Kerr,

I am writing on behalf of Sophie Stretch (Grade 7) and myself. We have been meeting every Tuesday after school, planning and organising a series of fund-raising activities which would run until the end of the year for the charity Pennies for Peace (www.penniesforpeace.org). This organisation has been very close to Sophie's heart and, apart from the fact that she is my neighbour, I've decided to help her make her project more successful. She already ran this project last year, and would like to continue it this year. She has set up a WikiSpace (www.ispennies4peace.wikispaces.com), if you would like to know more.

Tomorrow, Wednesday the 30th March, we will be putting out penny donation boxes in the library, as well as the B Building reception (if that is okay) which will remain there throughout the year. We are going to spread the word ourselves, in the form of posters and updates in our registration and homeroom classes.

We have planned to do several bake sales throughout the rest of the school year, and we would just like to confirm that this would be okay with you. Please let us know ASAP if there are any problems. Bake Sales, Chocolate Sales and Popsicle Sales will take place on the following Tuesdays:

April 4th, 2011
May 3rd, 2011
May 17th, 2011
May 31st, 2011
Throughout June (to be confirmed)

Other students who may be helping out at the food sales and preparations are Emily Bishko as well as other Grade 7 students.

We are both looking forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Thank you in advance for your support!

Isabella Borgers (Grade 11) & Sophie Stretch (Grade 7)

I believe that this is an important, long-term project for my CAS program as it is not a repetitive project. There is a lot of thought put into initiating the different tools which will determine the success of the fundraising project. There are various activities which make up the project as a whole, from baking to the creation of posters, to informing other students, to putting up posters and distributing donation jars and meeting with Sophie on a weekly basis. I believe that at the end of this project, it will amount to about 20 hours of Service as well as maybe a few hours of creativity or action as an outcome of the smaller activities within the Pennies for Peace project.