Graves Middle School students raised over $1,000 to give school supplies and other necessities to students in Zambia, Africa and packed backpacks with the supplies on Friday, November 16, in their school field house.
Every year Graves chooses an organization or cause to raise money for. Last year students raised money for families in Houston who lost their homes from a devastating hurricane. This year they chose to raise money to fill backpacks full of various school supplies for students. The backpacks were full of items like pencils, erasers, crayons, and notebooks and personal necessity items like soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes and more. Graves students also wrote personalized notes to go inside each backpack for the students who will be receiving them in Zambia.
Before students began assembling the backpacks Graves’ principal, Dr. Fraijo, spoke some words of encouragement and gratitude to the students.
“We want you to know it doesn’t matter how old you are or how much money your family has, you can make a difference, and what you’re doing matters.”
Dr. Fraijo also thanked students saying, “Thank you for putting others before yourselves and thank you for being thoughtful. I’m sure your parents are proud of you and we at Graves are so proud of you.”
Each class at Graves contributed to the fundraiser with some classrooms making fun competitions to see who can raise the most money between classrooms. The student at Graves who raised the most money individually was a 7th grader named Maria who raised $90.
“I just like donating. It makes me feel really good when I donate,” she shared.
After the students were done packing the backpacks they got to enjoy some cookies as a thank you for all their hard work.
Awesome job Graves students. South Whittier School District is proud of you!