Troy Athens High School Raises $115,184.24 During Charity Week 2023

Troy Athens Charity Week Big Reveal!!

Today, Troy Athens High School concluded one of this country’s largest high school student-led charity campaigns, Charity Week 2023, February 13-17! Their goal was to raise over $100,000 for their chosen charity, and as the crowd of 1,550 students, teachers, administrators and friends looked on, the giant banner was peeled back, to reveal the 2023 number, an amazing $115,184.24!!

These funds will be donated to Athens’ chosen charity for 2023: Carol’s Angels and Warriors, an organization that provides support and advocates for change in the areas of public safety, mental health and financial stability for victims of abuse and trauma. Charity Week has been a tradition at Athens High school, starting in the mid-80s, and it is a student-led project, from choosing the charity, to coming up with all of the fundraising activities, to executing the plan, and the amount raised has increased steadily. 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 and in 2021 they raised an amazing $180,000 for Elli’s House. Last year they raised $117,000 for Alex’s Saint’s Foundation. “I am so proud of our students and their passion for helping others,” said Shawn DuFresne, Troy Athens High School Student Council Advisor. “Charity Week is engrained in our school culture and embraced by our parents and community, and the immense feeling of pride felt by all is extraordinary.”

“This past week has been a whirlwind of emotions and wonderful disbelief as we have all humbly watched the Troy Athens community work so hard on our behalf. We are completely blown away by their generosity and passion,” said Emily Shankie, co-founder and executive director partner of Carol’s Angels & Warriors, and daughter to Carol---in whose memory the organization was formed. “We want to thank Troy Athens for recognizing this cause as worthy of your time, dedication and effort.”

Students could hardly contain their excitement and pride, as expressed by senior and StuCo President Madi Emmitt: “Charity Week is such a fundamental aspect of the culture at Athens High School. It’s a time-honored tradition based in community service. The generosity I have seen from our student body, staff, and community this week is huge and honestly doesn’t even surprise me because that’s just how we are here in Troy!”

What will they do for an encore? Stay tuned for Charity Week 2024 to find out!