Lemont Teens Help House the Less Fortunate

Two Lemont High School seniors were so moved by their experience at a Christian camp, they decided to carry out a mission that embodied its spirit.

Carly Holzner and Chloe Mars are determined to raise money to build homes for people with insufficient housing in Mexico, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Four bake sales, T-shirt sales, frozen yogurt fundraisers, courtyard concert—the teens have devoted themselves to the cause, and have raised roughly $1,600 so far. They have asked for donations in place of birthday gifts.

“What is amazing about 1Mission is that funds come from all over,” Holzner said. “People set up online campaigns and set their own goals to raise. Even better, the recipients earn their new home through community service like helping to build new roads or a home for different family.“

The teens were inspired by a video they watched during camp, in which a character declines birthday gifts and asks for donations instead.

“We wanted to make an impact—and had a lot of ideas—but we didn’t know how to start,” Holzner said. “Right then, we knew that’s what we were going to do. It made so much sense because each year you get things for your birthday that you don’t need or don’t really want. We thought of it like this, ’Why should we get things that we probably won’t use a year from now if that money could go towards building someone’s house?’”

Their fundraising goal is set at $8,000. Many of the families that have had their homes built already in the duration of their campaign thus far have lived on a weekly income of around $15, Holzner told Patch.

“It is unbelievable how different our lives are in Lemont, versus the lives of the families being helped by 1Mission,” Holzner said. ‘We wanted to show people how fortunate we all are to live in such a great town and to encourage to help out those who are less fortunate. It is crazy how where you live can affect your life.”

There will be a Pack the Place Fundraiser Monday, June 29 from 5 to 10 p.m., at Gelsosomo’s Pizzeria, 206 Main Street. The pair will receive 50 percent of all proceeds when customers mention the 1Mission fundraiser.

Donations can also be made through their fundraiser website.