United Way is an international organization that spans over 30 countries with over 1,100 branches. The organization focuses on four main impact areas: youth opportunity, healthy communities, financial security and community resiliency. Over one-half of Miami-Dade County residents are considered “one emergency away from the poverty line,” according to United Way.
This means that should these people face a sudden life event that requires an immediate payment, such as a house fire or car breakdown, they would fall into poverty due to a lack of saved funds. As per a mandate by the Miami-Dade County Public School System, each year Miami Palmetto Senior High participates in a schoolwide fundraiser for United Way. This year, Student Council’s Community Outreach board collaborated with Activities Director Elizabeth Valero and developed new fundraising tactics intended to cater more to a teenage audience in hopes of collecting more donations.
“We can’t have those theme days that little kids get excited for in elementary school, like crazy sock day,” Valero said. “It just doesn’t offer the same amount of excitement among high schoolers.”
New activities were introduced this year in hopes of encouraging students to support the cause. Cash donations will continue to be collected in every homeroom as in previous years, with the class that raises the most money being rewarded with a breakfast party. This year, clubs are now encouraged to collect donations as well. Whichever club collects the largest amount of money in relation to their number of members will win a pizza party. Donations will be accepted from now until Nov. 15.
Additionally, bracelets reading “Panthers United” will go on sale for one dollar on Nov. 7, and on Nov. 10, students can enjoy a holiday movie with their friends in the auditorium during the last block for $5.
Community Outreach is also overseeing a rock-paper-scissors event, taking place on Oct. 28, which is a school-wide rock-paper-scissors competition where students will buy beads for $1 to use to keep score. They can face off against different people around the school, taking a bead for each round they win, or giving one up when they lose. The student with the most beads at the end of the day will receive a gift card.
The Community Outreach board and Valero hope to see the new events succeed in both promoting United Way’s initiative and encouraging student participation in raising funds to support the cause.
“Whether it’s for supplies or a field trip that some kids aren’t able to afford, we want to give them that,” sophomore and Community Outreach member Emry Williams said.“I think the new fun campaigns are going to get people more interested in what exactly United Way is.”
The school aims to collect more than $5,200 while simultaneously raising awareness of United Way’s cause and providing an enjoyable activity that students get excited to participate in.
