Schools
Mackinac Island or Bust: Class Raises Funds For Trip
Symons Elementary teacher Stephanie Moore is striving to bring all her students on a trip up north, even those who can't afford it.
It's more than just a trip up north. For some kids, it's a trip of a lifetime, one many families cannot afford these days.
Stephanie Moore, third grade teacher at in Milan, is planning to make it possible for all 24 students in her class to travel together to Mackinac Island, regardless of their family's financial status.
It's a tall order. The cost for each child is about $150. For the whole class to go, she needs to raise some $4,000 by the end of of March to ensure the class can travel May 5-6. Many families are pitching in to help organize fundraisers with Moore, using innovative ideas to reach their goal.
"All the students deserve to go on this trip," Moore said. "We're holding fundraisers, selling candy bars, and selling sponsorships to companies and individuals in exchange for advertising on T-shirts the children will wear. Sponsorships range from $150-$300. That is something we've never tried before."
On Saturday, March 5, the class will host a fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings in Ypsilanti. The restaurant will donate 20 percent of all purchases accompanied by a certificate to Moore's class trip effort. (Guests are asked to print out the flyer accompanying this article.)
"The trip isn't just for pleasure." Moore said. "The students will study 15 grade-level expectations while we are there."
Amber Spencer's son Tyler is in Moore's class. She gives Moore credit for all the after school hours and private time it takes to plan for the trip and to raise money.
"Some children would not ever go to Mackinac Island without this trip," Spencer said. "It's not fair for any student to miss it because their family can't afford it. These funds will help every student go."
Spencer added she took her son to Mackinac Island on a family trip and it was a good experience for him.
"In this age of video games, it was interesting for him to see a place with no cars, where people dress in old time garb, and to see where the soldiers lived. It's a lot of fun."
For more information about fundraising efforts, contact Stephanie Moore at (734) 439-5333, visit her class website, or email her at moores@milanareaschools.org.