Athens High School Announces Charity Week Fundraising Amount

Troy Athens Announces Charity Week Big Reveal!!

Today, Troy Athens High School concluded one of this country’s largest high school student-led charity campaigns, Charity Week 2022, February 14-18! Their goal was to raise over $100,000 for their chosen charity, and as the crowd of students, teachers, administrators and friends looked on, the giant banner was peeled back, to reveal the 2022 number, an amazing $117,706.46!!!

These funds will be donated to Athens’ chosen charity for 2022: Alex’s Saints Foundation, a local organization that combats the opioid epidemic with Athens ties. Named in memory of 2013 Athens graduate Alex St. Pierre who passed away from an overdose in 2019, this group raises awareness of this important issue while providing support and narcotic rehabilitation financial assistance, helping families who have a loved one suffering from drug addiction. Alex’s Saints Foundation was established by his best friend and fellow Athens grad, Tyler Bettelon, who misses Alex every day and doesn’t want any other family to endure what Alex’s has: “Alex and I became best friends starting in 7th grade and we did everything together; he was my brother,” said Bettelon. “It was impossible to be in a bad mood when you were with Alex; he was known to light up any room with his contagious smile, energy, and laughter.” At the age of 24, Alex St. Pierre lost his battle to drugs and left the world too soon from an overdose.

Bettelon, who is also the organization’s Founder and Chairman, feels help is needed even more urgently today than ever before. In 2021, there was over 100,000 deaths due to a drug overdose--the highest rate in the history of the United States. Studies show that this number continues to grow higher and higher every year. With the donation received from Charity Week, Alex’s Saints plans to ramp up their outreach efforts and create relationships with more Rehabilitation Facilities to expand and help more individuals. A month of rehab can cost up to $15,000 per month without insurance, so these vital recovery plans can be expensive yet literally life-saving.

Athens students were eager to celebrate this year’s Charity Week, as last year’s event was cancelled due to COVID. Said Shawn DeFresne, Co-Adviser of Athens’ Student Council: “Charity Week is the most memorable week of the year for our school, and I am proud our student council was able to provide numerous events to our students and community to raise money for a great cause. For half of our school, it was brand new for them after not being able to hold it last year. It’s a major event that is embedded in our school culture; it’s absolutely a team effort on part of student council, staff, administration, and parents.”

According to Athens StuCo president Lilly Chrisopoulos, "After a year hiatus, we’re back and I’m so incredibly excited! Whether it was reintroduced to some or new to others, we’ve all had a blast during Charity Week 2022. Having some normalcy during COVID really did mean having Charity Week back.” Jordan Doyle, StuCo First Vice President, enthusiastically agreed: “Alex’s Saints’ motto is: ‘Together, we are stronger and tougher than addiction.’ Charity Week proves over and over again that we as a school and a community really are stronger together! I am so proud to be part of this week - Charity Week brings out the best in Athens!”

Charity Week has been a tradition at Athens High school since the mid-80s, and it is 100% student-led, from choosing the charity, to coming up with all of the fundraising activities, to executing the plan. The amount raised has increased yearly, challenging students to beat the previous year. By 1998 (when the current advisors began keeping track), they raised $8,400 for Gilda’s Club. In 2008, they raised $23,600 for ALS of Michigan. In 2020 they raised $180,000 for Elli’s House. “I am proud of the school for adapting and staying positive with the few changes we had to make this year. The participation and energy in the building has been incredible!” continued Chrisopoulos. Athens’ Principal Dr. Lara Dixon shared her pride in her staff, students and community: “Charity Week is all about generosity, activism, collaboration, and service leadership. Kids have fun and make meaningful memories while giving of themselves for the benefit of others. I am so very proud of and grateful for our students, staff, parents, and community. Charity Week is back, and we couldn’t be happier.”

Concluded Hannah DiGiovanni, StuCo Second Vice President: “I am in complete awe of how much money our community was able to raise in just one week, especially knowing how huge of an impact that money will have on so many people in our area.” Bettelon is hopeful about the good Alex’s Saints will be able to do with the money raised from Charity Week and feels that the story has come full circle. “When I was a student at Athens, Charity Week was the one week of the year I always looked forward to. I never in my life imagined I would be connected to the Charity of choice, but here we are almost 10 years after graduating. It’s pretty amazing to see how this has all come back to where I started, and I will be forever grateful,” he said.

Mission: Alex's Saints Foundation focuses on helping families who have a loved one suffering from drug addiction. Whether it's for rehab or a funeral, lean on ASF for emotional and financial support. For more information, visit www.alexssaints.org .