Members of Cedar Valley Middle School‘s National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) are making wishes come true for three children with life-threatening illnesses. In its sixth year, the school’s NJHS fundraises to grant a child’s wish by organizing a Walk 4 Wishes Carnival. It’s a service-learning project with Kids for Wish Kids, part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The walk and carnival are student-planned and operated; they sell tickets and secure sponsors. Each year, they have met their fundraising goal and granted a child’s wish.
This year, the students projected that the event would raise $10,000, enough for two children to receive their wishes. However, the students surpassed their goal, achieving a new level of success by raising over $15,000, enough to fulfill a third child’s wish.
Using their original projection of $10,000, the entire school voted on two of the wish(es) they aimed to fulfill. Once the votes were counted, it was determined to grant one child’s wish for a trip to tour colleges and another for a family trip to Walt Disney World. The third wish award will be granted to the next child on the Kids for Wish Kids eligibility list.
“I’m overwhelmingly proud of my students and their commitment to providing a fun community event with a meaningful outcome,” said Amy Margulies, Cedar Valley teacher and NJHS sponsor. “There is no substitute for the pride our school feels when our students meet the children who they have been fundraising for.”
On Thursday, March 10, the wish recipients voted on by the school will be the guests of honor at a school pep rally and receive their wishes.
