Rochester Hills HS Students Raise $93K For Local Non-Profit

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Rochester Hills high schools students raised more than $93,000 for a local non-profit during charity week, according to school officials.

By participating in fundraisers and friendly competitions, students from Adams, Rochester and Stoney Creek high schools raised $93,437.96 for Humble Design, a local non-profit that changes lives by custom designing and fully furnishing home interiors for individuals, families and veterans emerging from homelessness.

"All of you working together are raising up our community," Executive Director of Humble Design Chris Tull said. "When we furnish a home for a family, we are not only impacting that family, we are impacting the block they live on, that neighborhood, and the whole community."

The Charity Week fundraising activities included school pep assemblies, spirit days, charity dinners, pancake breakfasts, a duck race, dodgeball tournament, semiformal dance, food auctions, raffles and more.

"Charity Week is one of the coolest events we organize," Stoney Creek student Hector Guzman said. "It’s an opportunity to put our rivalries aside and come together from all three schools for a common goal."

Students from each high school then discussed their charity ideas at a meeting with all three student government groups. The students worked together and ultimately decided on Humble Design, an organization the students felt connected to and the opportunity to help people in need.

"Nelson Mandela often used the word, Ubuntu, which means, I am because you are. When I see who our students and staff are and what they’ve accomplished and provided to our district, our community and Humble Design, I know that our future is in good hands," Deputy Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Debi Fragomeni said. "They are making a difference."

Past Charity Week recipients have included the Henry Ford Health Center for Living Donation, Yellow Ribbon Fund, ShelterBox USA, Common Ground and Neighborhood House.