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Events raise $27,000+ for Habitat project
Apr 10, 2007 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Two March fund-raising events surpassed all expectations to raise more than $27,000 for Darlington’s Habitat for Humanity project, putting the total amount collected at just over $50,000.
“This success was only possible because of the determination of our students, the strong leadership provided by faculty members such as Reba Barnes, Chad Liddle and Mark Carleton, the help of dedicated parent volunteers, and the support of the Darlington community,” said senior Ben Pate, chairman of the Habitat effort. “It is so rewarding to finally be able to say we’ve raised the necessary funding for the house. Now we can concentrate on the building phase and using our hands to finish this amazing project.”
The Lower School’s first ever Boosterthon Fun Run raised $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity, making it truly a school-wide effort. On March 29, students in grades pre-K through 5 ran as many laps as they could around a track set up at the Lower School during a 30-minute period. Many completed 40 or more. Students at the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools secured, in advance, pledges per lap in support of the young runners. Seniors agreed that without this involvement by Darlington’s youngest students, their $50,000 goal would have been difficult to reach.
“I was so excited that the Lower School took part in helping us reach our goal,” said senior Anna Krueger. “It truly shows that Darlington as a whole can come together to literally build dreams, and it doesn’t matter whether you are in pre-K or about to graduate from Upper School.”
Members of the Darlington community came out in numbers to support the final Habitat fundraiser of the year, a silent and live auction held March 31 in the Huffman Center. After calculating all bids, students raised $17,925 for the Habitat effort.
“The auction was only possible due to the support of Darlington’s alumni, parents, faculty and friends who generously donated a variety of great items, including trips, tickets to athletic events, dinners, art, homework passes, and much more,” said Reba Barnes, head of house and faculty adviser for the Habitat project.
Top items included a 42-inch Sanyo plasma, hi-definition television, which sold for $1,200; a BBQ for 40 at North River Farms, which sold for $700; and an embellished serigraph signed and numbered by artist Viktor Shyaiko, which also sold for $700.
“I suppose the most fun was the live auction,” said senior John Kagley. “I stood up in the front to help our auctioneer, Mr. Lynn Dempsey. It was fun to see all of the bidders’ faces as he poked fun and prodded them to buy.”
“I am so thrilled that the auction went well, especially after the long hours put in by the seniors and Mrs. Barnes. This event was about so much more than raising money; it was about showing what Darlington represents and wants to do for this community,” said Krueger. “It was very symbolic that we reached our goal the same day that the walls of the house went up. It shows that we really can make a difference and all it takes is the effort and determination to see a project through.
With over $45,000 in cash collected and gifts in kind totaling more than $5,000, Darlington students are making great progress on the building phase.
“We have had great turnouts for the Saturday workdays,” said Kagley. “It’s a great experience to be out there getting our hands dirty. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of companies such as Basic Ready Mix, which donated concrete; Wheeler’s, which donated lumber and materials; Walker Door Company, which donated building materials; and Ware Mechanical, which donated the HVAC system. Also, we’d like to thank State Mutual for being a major monetary sponsor and all of our other donors who helped make our dream a reality.”
The Habitat House will be completed and dedicated before Darlington’s graduation in May. Exact date and location will be announced as details are finalized.
“We really appreciate the effort everyone has made to the Habitat project, including those who supported us with more than money or supplies,” said senior Dottie Vincent. “There are many adults and students who gave their time and talents, and they are greatly appreciated.”
“As a member of the senior class, I truly appreciate the support of Darlington students and the community as a whole,” added Krueger. “This project is so important, and I hope that the tradition can continue at Darlington even after the Class of 2007 graduates. To those who donated and helped in any way, and especially to Mrs. Ellen Ryan who helped make the auction look absolutely beautiful, thank you for your kindness and open heart. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
“This success was only possible because of the determination of our students, the strong leadership provided by faculty members such as Reba Barnes, Chad Liddle and Mark Carleton, the help of dedicated parent volunteers, and the support of the Darlington community,” said senior Ben Pate, chairman of the Habitat effort. “It is so rewarding to finally be able to say we’ve raised the necessary funding for the house. Now we can concentrate on the building phase and using our hands to finish this amazing project.”
The Lower School’s first ever Boosterthon Fun Run raised $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity, making it truly a school-wide effort. On March 29, students in grades pre-K through 5 ran as many laps as they could around a track set up at the Lower School during a 30-minute period. Many completed 40 or more. Students at the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools secured, in advance, pledges per lap in support of the young runners. Seniors agreed that without this involvement by Darlington’s youngest students, their $50,000 goal would have been difficult to reach.
“I was so excited that the Lower School took part in helping us reach our goal,” said senior Anna Krueger. “It truly shows that Darlington as a whole can come together to literally build dreams, and it doesn’t matter whether you are in pre-K or about to graduate from Upper School.”
Members of the Darlington community came out in numbers to support the final Habitat fundraiser of the year, a silent and live auction held March 31 in the Huffman Center. After calculating all bids, students raised $17,925 for the Habitat effort.
“The auction was only possible due to the support of Darlington’s alumni, parents, faculty and friends who generously donated a variety of great items, including trips, tickets to athletic events, dinners, art, homework passes, and much more,” said Reba Barnes, head of house and faculty adviser for the Habitat project.
Top items included a 42-inch Sanyo plasma, hi-definition television, which sold for $1,200; a BBQ for 40 at North River Farms, which sold for $700; and an embellished serigraph signed and numbered by artist Viktor Shyaiko, which also sold for $700.
“I suppose the most fun was the live auction,” said senior John Kagley. “I stood up in the front to help our auctioneer, Mr. Lynn Dempsey. It was fun to see all of the bidders’ faces as he poked fun and prodded them to buy.”
“I am so thrilled that the auction went well, especially after the long hours put in by the seniors and Mrs. Barnes. This event was about so much more than raising money; it was about showing what Darlington represents and wants to do for this community,” said Krueger. “It was very symbolic that we reached our goal the same day that the walls of the house went up. It shows that we really can make a difference and all it takes is the effort and determination to see a project through.
With over $45,000 in cash collected and gifts in kind totaling more than $5,000, Darlington students are making great progress on the building phase.
“We have had great turnouts for the Saturday workdays,” said Kagley. “It’s a great experience to be out there getting our hands dirty. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of companies such as Basic Ready Mix, which donated concrete; Wheeler’s, which donated lumber and materials; Walker Door Company, which donated building materials; and Ware Mechanical, which donated the HVAC system. Also, we’d like to thank State Mutual for being a major monetary sponsor and all of our other donors who helped make our dream a reality.”
The Habitat House will be completed and dedicated before Darlington’s graduation in May. Exact date and location will be announced as details are finalized.
“We really appreciate the effort everyone has made to the Habitat project, including those who supported us with more than money or supplies,” said senior Dottie Vincent. “There are many adults and students who gave their time and talents, and they are greatly appreciated.”
“As a member of the senior class, I truly appreciate the support of Darlington students and the community as a whole,” added Krueger. “This project is so important, and I hope that the tradition can continue at Darlington even after the Class of 2007 graduates. To those who donated and helped in any way, and especially to Mrs. Ellen Ryan who helped make the auction look absolutely beautiful, thank you for your kindness and open heart. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
