Charity Drive Raises $140K for Saving tiny Hearts Society

While walking into the exhibition gym at  (HPHS) for the Charity Drive's closing assembly on Friday, students were anxious and excited to find out how much money had been raised. 

This year, money was raised for the local organization Saving tiny Hearts Society, a local organization that funds research to find a cure for congenital heart diseases. The result of a month of hardcore fundraising would soon be revealed at the end of the 50-minute assembly. 

To start the assembly off, the president of student senate, which organizes Charity Drive, thanked the students for their enthusiasm and their dedication to making this drive so successful. 

We then got to hear senior Natalie Shay sing "Stand by Me." Her voice was soft and powerful, and the whole school was soon on its feet, swaying and clapping in unison. As she finished her last note, there was silence for a moment and then the gymnasium erupted in applause. 

This unity wasn't unique to the assembly, but was felt throughout the whole drive as students worked hard to raise money. Most of us had not heard of congenital heart defects before but learned about it while raising funds to prevent it.

During the month, hallways were filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods like challah, cinnamon rolls or -- my personal favorite -- the cake ball. Made daily by Lauren Deutschman, the cake ball is like a munchkin but richer and even more savory and so addictive. I tried to have at least two a day. That was my personal sacrifice for Charity Drive. 

Students opened salons in the commons, the track team solicited over $20,000 for the , two teachers sold tickets to their dance off and Kenny Lucke, my ninth-grade physics teacher, raised over $1,500 in a bid battle to shave or keep his 18-year-old mustache. He lost it, and became unrecognizable. 

After people who raised $1,000 or more were called up and thanked, and when the last performance had finished, a video started to play. The video took us around the school to find the numbers that were used to calculate how much money was raised. After voyaging to the preschool room, Eric Helkowski's math class and a meeting with administrators, we soon found that we had raised $140,500. 

The room erupted with joy. Students screamed and the founders of the charity began crying. Confetti sprang out as the check was hoisted in the air. There was much high-fiving. In this tough economic climate, it is incredible that one high school could raise so much money to make a difference. It makes me proud to be a student at HPHS. 

Kudos goes out to the Charity Drive Committee Heads: Molly Harris, Sami Allen and Ada Terman, and the Student Senate Club Sponsors Mary Gorleski, John Gorleski and Debra Dicker, finally Lesa Freidrich Student Activities Coordinator. Without them Charity Drive would not be possible.