Team Make a Difference Gives Big to the AHA

Team Name: Team Make a Difference

Team Members: Chris Kruglik and Ersela Dautaj

Charity: The American Heart Association 

As part of ’s , freshmen Chris Kruglik and Ersela Dautaj teamed up to fundraise for the American Heart Association’s Connecticut Chapter.

“Giving back to the Connecticut chapter was important,” said Kruglik. “It’s local and helping out other people. It’s amazing we can have an effect on others.”

The freshmen set a goal of $100 and exceeded it by more than $50.

“It felt good going past our goal because I didn’t think we’d raise that money,” said Kruglik. “We reached out to our community and they were willing to give donations.”

Team Make a Difference solicited donations from family and friends. They also went door to door in their neighborhood.

“Everyone was very supportive, thought it was a great cause and was very willing to give money to it,” said Kruglik.

As part of Student Council at , Kruglik took part in Penny Wars, but this was the first time he fundraised for a cause of his own.

“I liked being a part of the Big Give,” he said. “It made me fee like a better person because I was giving back to something.”

Kruglik is looking forward to the banquet to celebrate the Big Give being held on March 1. He is also planning on participating in the Big Give in the future.

“You could always make a difference whatever you do, but I didn’t think we could make that big of a difference,” said Kruglik. “I would love to do this again.”