Q&A by: Katelyn Ramsey
Photos by: Megan Jeffries
For one week, from Monday, November 5 to Friday, November, 9, students and faculty raised money for United Way. Northmen News caught up with student council sponsor Bryan Edinger to talk about the fundraisers and success of the week.
Northmen News: How much money was raised?
Bryan Edinger: “Just under $2500, I think $2490.”
NN: Were you satisfied with the amount raised?
BE: “Yeah we had a good start. We’d like to see more. It used to be a huge deal, but now Relay for Life took over, and the money shifted toward Relay. We’d like to see more balance.”
NN: What was your goal?
BE: “We wanted to raise $3500.”
NN: How did the students raise money?
BE: “The staff made donations through payroll, they sold pixie sticks, there was a chili cook-off. There were about 4 or 5 different ideas.”
NN: Are there any future options you’re planning on doing?
BE: “We’d like to continue and expand fundraisers. We want to make them bigger and better. We plan on doing canned goods later on.”
NN: What was going on with the raffle?
BE: “We were raffling off lunch with the Homecoming queen [Madeline Marx].”
NN: Why do we fundraise for United Way?
BE: “Representatives came and talked in class. They support thousands of organizations in the Kansas City area. It was a clear choice it was a good cause.”
NN: Why is United Way important to Oak Park?
BE: “The district has a relationship with United Way. It’s been going on for close to 20 to 25 years. We were encouraged to.”
NN: Will this fundraiser affect other fundraisers?
BE: “I don’t think so. The amount raised was pretty on par with past years.”
While selling Pixi Stix to raise money for United Way, senior Kitrick Russel shows off his “Live United” sticker.
As one of their fundraising efforts, Leadership created posters such as this which advertise a contest in which students enter for a chance to win a lunch with either homecoming queen, Madeline Marx or Raymond Saari. The raffle was canceled due to lack of participation.
On Monday, Nov. 5 seniors Kitrick Russel, Abbey Henning, and Allyson Pinet sell Pixi Stix to raise money for Leadership’s efforts for the United Way.