Heritage High School Press Release
MAD Week 2008
The Heritage High School community surpassed even the most optimistic expectations during their annual MAD (Making a Difference) Week fund raising efforts from April 28 to May 3. In one short week, the students, staff, parents and the entire community rallied for the cause and have raised $26,921.86. This total exceeded last years’ record setting effort by almost $13,000 and was almost $10,000 over the goal. With this money the Heritage community will fund approximately 75% of the total cost of building and equipping Heritage High School’s sister school in Kabala, Sierra Leone. In addition, students collected more than 30 boxes of school supplies and athletic equipment. Three Heritage students, Claire McKeever, Lindsay Strine, and Kira Gruzinski, who is returning for her second trip, will travel to Sierra Leone in July to deliver the funds and to help with the beginning of construction.
Student’s organized events throughout the week to inform their classmates about the plight of the people of Sierra Leone and to encourage them to contribute. On Tuesday of MAD Week students dined at Cici’s Pizza, who donated 10% of the proceeds to the cause. On Wednesday, the popular new group The Heyday played a benefit concert. This highly acclaimed band, featuring two former Heritage students among its members, was exceedingly well received by over 300 students. On Friday, the seniors took on the staff in the annual Student vs. Staff Basketball Game and exacted revenge for last year’s student loss by recording a lopsided victory for the seniors. Students packed the house and for the third year in a row Jammin’ DJs donated their professional services to provide lights, music and professional announcing for the game. The week concluded with a sponsored Community Clean-Up, which students and scouts collected sponsorships and spent Saturday morning picking up trash throughout the city’s parks and trail system.
It would be impossible to note all those whose efforts and generosity made this week such a huge success, but among the largest contributors were:
- The Littleton Rotary Club: $500.00
- Wingman Restaurant: $382.82 raised through customer contributions and a matching grant
- South Metro International Reading Association: $300.00 for the purchase of books to support literacy at the new school.
- GEA Power and Cooling: $250.00
- The Streets at Southglenn: $250.00
- Bradford Auto Body: $200.00
- The Heyday Band: over $1,200.00 which came from half of the gate receipts as well as 10% of their merchandise sales
- Heritage Theatre Company and Thespian group: over $1,200.00 from gate receipts from their Spring One Acts as well as from donations from parents and other supporters.
- The Heritage High School Alpine Club: $695 raised through a sponsored hike.
- The Heritage Community Clean-Up organized by Alex Raab and supported by the Boy Scouts: $284.
- Fazoli’s Restaurant: contributed lunch for 70 people for the Community Clean-Up.
- Paul and Kendra Plath: Rockies Baseball Tickets valued at $140.00.
- EduKit Vending Inc.: 5 cases of bagged popcorn and candy sold as snacks at the concert and basketball game.
- Jammin DJs: provided DJ services valued at approximately $2000.00.
The most amazing aspect of the week is that the bulk of money came from individual contributions by students, staff, parents, and community members. The stories of generosity abound. One student simply signed over her check from her employer for the previous week’s wages. Others contributed their money for lunch or morning coffee. One dipped into savings and gave the money that was designated for a new skate board. Another student gave her weeks’ worth of tips earned working at coffee bar.
The Heritage High School community could not be more excited about this opportunity to truly make a difference. The plans for the school are beginning to take shape. The blue prints have been completed and the Paramount Chief in Koinadugu District has granted the land and approved the construction and opening of the Heritage School. The land will be cleared and materials will be accumulated so that the beginning of construction will coincide with the arrival of the Heritage students in July. The building is expected to be completed within a year, and the goal is to establish internet connection so that students and staff in Littleton will be able to communicate with the people of Kabala.
Heritage High School would like to thank the entire community for making MAD Week so successful. It is never too late to donate, as this will be an ongoing project. To contribute, make your donation to “Operation Classroom.” All contributions are tax deductible. Send checks to Operation Classroom at Heritage High School; 1401 W. Geddes Ave.; Littleton, CO 80120.
Contact Persons:
Heritage High School phone number: 303-347-7600