Direct Relief International recently received a check from Milwaukee Jewish Day School’s former seventh grade class, who collectively raised $22,000 last school year for medical aid in Haiti. The effort is through Voice of the Children, a not-for-profit organization run by MJDS. On Dec. 12, the students received a certificate of appreciation from Direct Relief, which is based in California. As an added bonus, Direct Relief’s President and CEO Thomas Tighe and Emergency Response Manager Andrew MacCalla thanked the students personally via a face-to-face video conference call.
“Each year, MJDS seventh graders raise money for a charitable organization,” said Mike Hinkens, MJDS middle school social studies teacher and 2011-12 lead teacher for Voice of the Children. “The funds they collect are then distributed by the school’s not-for-profit, Voice of the Children, to a charity of their choice.”
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At the end of the 2011-12 school year, the seventh graders delivered persuasive presentations to parents and teachers about why the charity they selected should receive the money. Direct Relief received the majority of the votes.
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“We really liked how Direct Relief was fast relief and really focused on certain problems,” said Noah, MJDS student and a member of the winning group that presented on the organization.
Voice of the Children was inspired by Head of School Brian King, but is run by the seventh grade class. “This provides the children a way to learn about real world issues, raise awareness and then raise money to be part of the solution,” said King.
Students raised $11,500 during the 2011-12 school year by selling Voice of the Children bracelets, holding bake sales, selling items online, and creating and posting videos online about poverty in Latin America requesting donations. In May, they organized a Day of Silence and received pledges for each hour they did not speak, representing children around the world who don’t have a voice to improve their own living conditions. For the fourth consecutive year, The Richard A. Ross Family generously matched the funds, resulting in $22,000 going to Direct Relief for relief efforts in Haiti.
“We are sincerely grateful to the dedication and passion that the MJDS students have demonstrated,” said MacCalla. “Voice of the Children is a unique project and it’s obvious that it instills strong charitable values in students at a young age.”
About Milwaukee Jewish Day School
Milwaukee Jewish Day School is an independent, co-educational school for Jewish children from kindergarten through eighth grade and is Milwaukee's only pluralistic and egalitarian community day school. For 30 years, MJDS has provided children with an outstanding general studies and Jewish education. MJDS is affiliated with the prestigious Jewish Community Day School Network – RAVSAK, is fully accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and is a partner agency of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. More information is at www.mjds.org.
About Voice of the Children
Voice of the Children is Milwaukee Jewish Day School’s educational and charitable not-for-profit organization that raises money to help children abroad who are in need. Voice of the Children is run by MJDS middle school students and is guided by the Jewish values of tzedakah (obligation to give) and tikkun olam (heal the world). Since its inception, the organization has donated more than $75,000 to support charities that protect children and develop underprivileged Jewish communities abroad. More information is at www.voiceofthechildren.net.
About Direct Relief International
Direct Relief International is California’s largest medical relief organization, active in all 50 states and 70 countries, providing free medications for people in need. Direct Relief was established in 1948 and is nonsectarian, nongovernmental, and apolitical. All the programs are provided in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to political affiliation, religious belief, or ethnic identity. The organization has top charity ratings, including four-star and “top-notch” rating from Charity Navigator, and a 100% fundraising efficiency rating from Forbes magazine. http://www.directrelief.org/AboutUs/History/History.aspx