 Contributed Photo
Project inspires new Atlee charity club The club Schools for Schools raises money for the charity group called Invisible Children. Invisible Children helps rebuild high schools located in northern Uganda.
A book project in Rebekah O’Dell’s English class prompted one Atlee High School sophomore to make a difference in a worn-torn country by raising awareness and money.
Brendan Molin completed the project, which included reading “Cry, to the Beloved Country” — a story about racial injustice in South Africa — and discussing other injustices around the world.
Then he decided to start a new student club at Atlee.
Last month the 16-year-old started the fundraising club Schools for Schools, which raises money for the charity group called Invisible Children. Invisible Children helps rebuild high schools located in northern Uganda.
“I really got involved in this English project, and after doing research I came across the group Invisible Children,” Molin said. “Instantly a bunch of people rallied around the cause.”
The organization initially appealed to Molin because it focused on bringing attention to the issue to help students in Uganda, he said. Also, individual Schools for Schools clubs can go online to track their fundraising efforts.
“Brendan has truly gone above and beyond and embodied the spirit of the project,” said O’Dell. “I am thrilled that he wants to start a Schools for Schools club because it shows his sense of social responsibility extends far beyond the scope of one English project.”
“I liked the group because I can see exactly where the money is going and see exactly what is happening,” Molin said. “Sometimes with bigger organizations you don’t know exactly where the money is going.”
The high schooler took his idea to the Atlee activities director and then to the school’s principal, Vincent D’Agostino. According to Molin, it takes two years to become an independent club. But the Human Relations club took his new venture under their wing.
“So far I’ve had a lot of interest from people I know and people I don’t know,” he said. “I’ve taken a personal interest in it and could see myself doing it for years in the future.”
Molin has been spreading the word around Atlee himself by going into classrooms and talking to students about the new charity club. “Everyone in general has been really great,” he added.
Molin has high hopes for the new club within the next year. He is already working on two fundraising events for the fall at the Byrd Theatre, in Richmond, and hopes to raise $10,000 for Invisible Children.
“Virginia Tech raised $10,000 and if they can do it then we can do it,” he said. “I’m pretty confident.”
(8) Comments • Email This Article |
