Post by title1parent on Feb 1, 2009 9:17:06 GMT -5
I am aware that at WV Gold, through the History classes, that they were selling Tshirts for the Invisible Children program.
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1407875,2_1_AU01_BOOKS_S1.article
West students stepping up to aid children of Uganda
February 1, 2009
By MARISSA AMONI For The Beacon News
Fifteen thousand books.
Fifteen thousand. Or about five books for every student at West Aurora High School.
On Wednesday afternoon, about 60 West High students worked in the wintry air to load more than 15,000 books onto a 53-foot semitrailer parked outside the school.
The 15,000 books, along with student Jose Ramos, are destined for Uganda.
Ramos, a West High junior, won a ticket -- one of three -- from the Invisible Children humanitarian organization and is flying to northern Uganda this June to help build schools and bring peace to the war-torn African country.
"It'll be a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Ramos said.
He added that the two-week trip is bound to be sad, but it'll be a good experience for him.
Ramos collected more than 2,500 books himself and assisted in stacking the many boxes inside the truck Wednesday afternoon. He was the second winner of a golden ticket -- the third is still available -- from Invisible Children, which inspired the school's own club.
West High's Invisible Children's club focused on the book drive for Ugandan schoolchildren this fall and winter. Collection points were set up throughout the community and at retirement homes.
Freshman Krystal Ozoa hauled boxes wearing the club's green camouflage T-shirt.
"I like helping children and other schools," she said.
The club started in 2006 after Social Studies teachers Joe Sustersic and Christina Tammen sat down to watch an eye-opening documentary produced by Invisible Children called "Invisible Children" about the plight of youth in Uganda.
In its first year, the club raised $1,800 by making and selling bracelets.
The next year, club members dreamt up Global Night Out, at which West High students slept out on the football field to support the children of Uganda who sleep outside on a daily basis, unprotected from the elements to avoid capture from the rebel Lord Resistance Army (LRA), which is terrorizing the nation.
So far, the school's Invisible Children's club, with 120 members, has collected a total of $44,000 in their efforts to assist Ugandan children. An anonymous donor matched $18,000 last year.
"We are doing battle with the LRA right now," Tammen said.
She added that the club works to create "an army of peace." The club's mission states: "We can start our own army of love, peace and freedom."
When Invisible Children showed their movie to the school in November, Ramos was immediately affected and purchased the DVD, where the winning ticket was found. His golden ticket is now providing him with a life-changing trip, Tammen said.
"Jose is going to become part of the story," Tammen said, "He is going there to give them gifts, but they give you the gifts. ... Good things will come from it."
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1407875,2_1_AU01_BOOKS_S1.article
West students stepping up to aid children of Uganda
February 1, 2009
By MARISSA AMONI For The Beacon News
Fifteen thousand books.
Fifteen thousand. Or about five books for every student at West Aurora High School.
On Wednesday afternoon, about 60 West High students worked in the wintry air to load more than 15,000 books onto a 53-foot semitrailer parked outside the school.
The 15,000 books, along with student Jose Ramos, are destined for Uganda.
Ramos, a West High junior, won a ticket -- one of three -- from the Invisible Children humanitarian organization and is flying to northern Uganda this June to help build schools and bring peace to the war-torn African country.
"It'll be a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Ramos said.
He added that the two-week trip is bound to be sad, but it'll be a good experience for him.
Ramos collected more than 2,500 books himself and assisted in stacking the many boxes inside the truck Wednesday afternoon. He was the second winner of a golden ticket -- the third is still available -- from Invisible Children, which inspired the school's own club.
West High's Invisible Children's club focused on the book drive for Ugandan schoolchildren this fall and winter. Collection points were set up throughout the community and at retirement homes.
Freshman Krystal Ozoa hauled boxes wearing the club's green camouflage T-shirt.
"I like helping children and other schools," she said.
The club started in 2006 after Social Studies teachers Joe Sustersic and Christina Tammen sat down to watch an eye-opening documentary produced by Invisible Children called "Invisible Children" about the plight of youth in Uganda.
In its first year, the club raised $1,800 by making and selling bracelets.
The next year, club members dreamt up Global Night Out, at which West High students slept out on the football field to support the children of Uganda who sleep outside on a daily basis, unprotected from the elements to avoid capture from the rebel Lord Resistance Army (LRA), which is terrorizing the nation.
So far, the school's Invisible Children's club, with 120 members, has collected a total of $44,000 in their efforts to assist Ugandan children. An anonymous donor matched $18,000 last year.
"We are doing battle with the LRA right now," Tammen said.
She added that the club works to create "an army of peace." The club's mission states: "We can start our own army of love, peace and freedom."
When Invisible Children showed their movie to the school in November, Ramos was immediately affected and purchased the DVD, where the winning ticket was found. His golden ticket is now providing him with a life-changing trip, Tammen said.
"Jose is going to become part of the story," Tammen said, "He is going there to give them gifts, but they give you the gifts. ... Good things will come from it."