Streams Elementary raises $7,000 for special needs organization
In 2004, a group of Upper St. Clair parents approached Streams Elementary School Principal Claire Miller with an idea.
When the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami hit Indonesia, Thailand, India and many other countries — killing between 230,000-280,000 people — the community wanted to raise money to help.
The concern led to a now-14-year initiative at Streams to fundraise for children’s organizations. This year, Streams students, staff and parents led the “Children for Children” program, which led to a $7,113 donation for Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization for special needs children.
“I’m so proud to be part of this and proud of the work that our parents and staff members do,” Miller said. “It’s been a wonderful journey for our school community.”
The main fundraising event was held on Feb. 22, and a group of students presented Best Buddies with the check on March 23.
Miller said Best Buddies was a perfect organization for the initiative, which switches the organization to which it donates each year. Best Buddies, an international organization, is focused on creating friendships between young people and special needs students.
“It’s so they’re included and have someone to go get ice cream with or go to the prom with or call on the phone,” Miller said. “It’s about creating friendships. Since this is an important thing that students are doing for other students we felt that it was great for our Children for Children.”
To raise the money, Miller said different classrooms held coin drives and hosted the fundraising event, where families bought tickets to attend and could participate in different activities, including a silent auction and a teacher raffle.
Miller also said the best part about the Children for Children initiative is that it’s not just a fundraiser but also a learning experience for her students. In the month leading up to the event, the students learned about Best Buddies and about friendship.
“We taught kids what it meant to be a best buddy,” Miller said. “Helping kids practice their good friendship skills, how do you take turns listening and playing with a friend, how do you include someone in a game during play time to be a best buddy to someone who is maybe feeling a little left out.”
In the past, the Children for Children Initiative has fundraised for Operation Water, Jameson’s Army, Grady’s All-Stars and Beverly’s Birthdays.
“I think it helps students learn that they may be young but even a simple act that they can do can make a difference,” Miller said. “It empowers young boys and girls that they have a lot of power and a lot of ability to make a difference.”