Members of Camden Academy Charter High School’s Peer Leadership Group delivered a $646 donation on behalf of the entire student body to Volunteers of America in Collingswood on Tuesday, June 17. The donation is a product of fundraising efforts conducted by the group as a means to give back and to raise awareness about homelessness in the community.
“The Peer Leadership Group at Camden Academy is newly founded this school year and is intended to build leadership skills in our students and to create a positive school community,” said peer leadership founder and Camden Academy guidance counselor Lauren Bristol. “This was our first fundraiser and I am so proud of our students. We had a goal of raising $500, which we surpassed.”
Over the span of two weeks, peer leadership members collected money during designated lunch periods from both students and staff. For a $2 donation, staff and students were given a candy bar and a purple ribbon, the designated color for homelessness awareness. Peer leadership members then hand delivered the money to Volunteers of America to aide in the operation of the Anna M. Sample Complex in Camden. The Anna M. Sample Complex was selected by the student members as the intended recipient of their donation after researching a number of organizations in the Camden area.
Find out what's happening in Haddonfield-Haddon Townshipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Anna M. Sample Complex runs through the Volunteers of America Delaware Valley and provides transitional housing to up to 65 homeless. In addition, the house also provides employment and family management support programs for women.
“I am particularly proud of our students, all of the energy behind the fundraiser came completely from them,” said Bristol. “They organized everything, encouraged students and staff to donate, and specifically choose the Anna M. Sample Complex because they wanted to make an impact within their own community.”
Find out what's happening in Haddonfield-Haddon Townshipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The money was accepted by both Volunteers of America Delaware Valley CEO/President Daniel L. Lombardo and COO Housing and Supportive Services Gina Adams.
“We are so inspired and grateful to the kids from Camden Academy Charter High School” said Adams, “Where others talk about helping their community, they are actually doing it and giving hope to those in need.”
About Camden Academy
Camden Academy Charter High School (CACHS) is a public, non-denominational, coeducational, independent day school of choice for more than four hundred students in grades nine through twelve. CACHS was recently awarded a bronze medal for the second time as part of the U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 Best High School Rankings. Camden’s Academy Charter High School is one of four schools that operate under Camden’s Charter School Network (CCSN), a charter management organization dedicated to providing viable educational opportunities for students and their families. For more information, please visit www.promiseacademycharter.org.
About Volunteers of America Delaware Valley
The Greater Philadelphia regional affiliate of the national Volunteers of America – a nonprofit, faith-based organization founded in 1896 – Volunteers of America Delaware Valley gives hope to more than 13,000 men, women and children annually in Southern and Central New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Headquartered in Collingswood, N.J., Volunteers of America Delaware Valley provides a range of programs for senior citizens; homeless families; offenders returning to the community; and men and women dealing with addiction and mental health issues.
