Banteay Meanchey: Global Poverty In Cambodia

How much did you fundraise last year? If you did not participate, please put N/A.

One particular activity that I feel has made a difference in the community is my participation in Mini-THON, a student-led philanthropic organization that raises money for research in pediatric cancer and benefits Four Diamonds and Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. I have served as the Junior and Senior Co-Chair, or President, for the past two years, respectively. Each year, my responsibilities have expanded from simply attending meetings and contributing ideas for fundraisers, to actively coordinating meetings and organizing fundraisers with local businesses. For example, our club held our first annual “Teenie-THON” for elementary school students. We spent countless hours creating advertisements and permission slips for the participants.

In the course of my time at Union County College, I was able to participate in measures that aided my community and those in need. I took part in the donation and creation of care bags which were donated to the Salvation Army. This initiative was made by AESNJ as part of their statewide drive to help those who lack the resources needed to obtain day to day necessities such as hygienic supplies, socks, tissues and other essentials. Additionally, I made a financial contribution which went towards aiding Syrian children. Helping individuals in need encouraged me to participate in Strides against Breast Cancer a walkathon which generated money for women whose lives were impacted by cancer. The financial donations assisted women who were unable

My freshman year I was introduced to the Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. I wanted to be as involved as possible, especially since cancer has taken the lives of many family members and friends, so I became team captain for both my freshman and sophomore year and raised a total of about $5,000. This year I have taken the position of Survivor Chair Shadow so that I can take the position of Survivor Chair my senior year, and be even more involved. Just by taking part in this amazing fundraiser I am serving my community, building my character, and demonstrating strong leadership skills. The personal gratification from making a

This past month we put on a global awareness project. My society advisor and I discovered this foundation, The Pulsera Project. The organization sought to help individuals working in textiles gain freedom from their poor conditions and give them respectable jobs making bracelets, referred to as pulseras, that are sold all over the world. So, we joined immediately in the cause selling bracelets at our school, telling our peers about the Nicaraguan workers lives, and helping to provide financial relief. Our society decided to not use this as a fundraiser, but instead send all our profits back to the Pulsera Project. Not only do I help others through clubs, my high school sports teams I play for also run sports camps over the summer to help smaller child learn the game and improve their skills. The players, like me, help mold and sculpt the younger generations of

During my childhood, I would always want to help out with moving materials and fixing them. These brought me to volunteer at some bigger activities that require to sell and give to individuals. At my school’s concession stores, I sold products for a basketball game. While doing these

We mostly raised money by selling goods, but I was driven to be an example of giving back by providing a good attitude, lessons to inspire kindness, and implemented events. When I realized how much money my ideas made, I couldn't stop innovating new ways to promote our purpose. This drove me to do more which lead me to go speak on television and ask for donations during my chorus concert. As I thanked them, I reminded them how grateful we are to be a part of a community that's bonded together by love. When we reached our goal of $15,000, we used that money to buy a student glasses, send a child to the doctors, bought some clothes for someone in need, etc. Holiday Hope inspired me and taught me how one person could make a huge impact while bringing people

Ever since I can remember, I have had the intense desire to help people. In high school, I joined Kiwanis Key Club and National Honors Society; both organizations allowed me to gain hours of volunteer experience helping families in need within my own community. Both organizations have annual events to benefit our community. At Christmas, Key Club adopts a few families and we buy clothing and toys for the kids. Our efforts to make the holidays a more enjoyable time for the families removed the parents’ burden of having to worry about being able to pay bills after getting presents for their children. Also, National Honors Society holds a blood drive every year in coalition with the American Red Cross. Last year our blood drive was in honor of a little girl in our community with leukemia.

Through my experiences with philanthropic work I realize the commitment it takes. I also understand the outcome and the feeling you get knowing you have been a part of something bigger than yourself. Growing up in a small town I have grown accustomed to the idea of helping others. Every year my hometown puts together a philanthropy event called DUCK Week. DUCK Week stands for Doing Unselfish Charities for Kids. It is a weeklong philanthropy event where we as a community come together and help a family in need. DUCK Week started when I was in kindergarten and has grown as I have progressed through school. When I reached my first year in high school I was really able to participate the most in DUCK Week. I was involved in several committees including finance and technology. Being a part of these committees allowed me to get in on the ground floor and assist with the moths of planning that went into DUCK Week. When I reached my senior year I was defiantly able to look back and be proud of the work we had done. At our peak we were able to raise $170,000. Philanthropy is something I have first hand experience with and I know how much the outcome can help people. That I why I fell I best fit into the

Last year I participated in Dressember. A nationwide project to help raise awareness for human trafficking. Each day of December, participants wear a dress to help spread the word that human trafficking is a prevalent issue in today's society. I would like to host a fundraiser to help raise awareness and donate money to ending modern day slavery. Since we live in such a small town, it's hard to make an impact on the rest of the nation but by doing this project we can help make a difference, starting with our small high school. Another idea I have is to host a competition against sports in each season to raise money to donate to a cause of the teams choosing. By doing this, more people will get involved and each of the teams get to show support for a good cause. There’s so much room for myself and others to grow through being a part of such an amazing student body. Starting with making incoming freshman and students that may not have very many friends feel welcome and appreciated and going all the way to trying to make our world a better

Since I first delved into community service two years ago, I have not only found a passion for helping others, but also a sense of belonging. After my freshman year of highschool, I was lacking direction. I had no idea what I wanted to involve myself in, but I knew I wanted to start something to help people. Therefore, my friends and I created our own charity, The Pink Bowz. Since 2015, I have worked in my community to expand this organization which helps women battling breast cancer. The Pink Bowz has since completed approximately 200 hours of community service and donated over $5000 to five women in the Hampstead - Wilmington area. Through this experience I found a passion for the fundraising process. I campaigned at my school to start a

We also helped plan and attend various fundraisers at different locations around Gainesville. I helped organize and set up our main event, a walk, to raise money for congenital heart disorders. Furthermore with Kappa Alpha Theta’s philanthropic committee, we planned a capture the flag tournament and dinner to raise money for abused and neglected children. I also had the opportunity to plan and attend a senior citizen prom for a community service club in high school. I had the duty of helping to invite various assisted living homes around the community, setting up venue ,and advertising the event.

As a nonprofit fundraiser, it is difficult to truly see the mission that your team raises money for every single day. Fundraisers at the American Red Cross are trained as “sales people,” and before this volunteer experience I had never even been on a Red Cross disaster response call. Throughout the duration of the semester, I was able to gain true insight into the core of the organization and mission. This opportunity allowed me to not only enhance my career at the American Red Cross, but gave me a 360-degree view of the entire organization and the fundamentals of the Red Cross mission.

I have been volunteering at various events to see how people get all excited for certain events. One event, in particular, was my school annual auction. If I remember correctly we had two-hundred and eighty guests come to our school. The end of the auction was one of the most eye-opening times within my teenage life. After eight girls performed a heartwarming poem to the guests, the auctioneer asked who wants to give money towards scholarships for these students. Arms went flying, and I can never forget that moment. I remember looking to my right and see a classmate in tears because not only did the guest donate, but our teachers did. It was then many of us noticed that they truly cared about us. If an auction regarding around the education of students can bring two-hundred and eighty people together, just imagine what can be done for the

Throughout High School, I led multiple philanthropic projects. As president of the Ignite Organization, I involved students to raise funds for, and volunteer at a pregnancy center. I assembled a team of volunteers, and initiated fundraisers. This effort transpired over a year and continues to affect my community. I also developed a supply-drive to assist Hurricane Sandy victims through benefit events. Furthermore, I volunteered at summer camps as well as at my Parish as a counselor.