As a local titleholder in the Miss America system, I am required to raise a minimum amount of $250 for the Miss New York Pageant. Each year, though, I make it my goal to surpass this minimum. This year, to aid in my mission, I recruited the students and faculty of Public School 8.
I visited PS8 back in June to establish a fundraising competition: "Miracle Makers." I held two assemblies to explain our plan and exactly what the Children's Miracle Network does. This fundraiser worked much like "Wish For Change." Buckets were placed in each classroom and the children were encouraged to raise money on their own to donate to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. I promised that whichever class won by raising the most amount of money would receive a special prize from me!
I could tell that the students were excited and I had faith that they would hit the ground running. In fact, I received word from teachers that very day that students had taken money from their pockets to add to the bucket, already. I knew that with two weeks of fundraising left, they would certainly make it difficult to chose a winning class.
Two weeks later, my parents helped me retrieve the buckets from PS8 and we began counting change. By that Monday, June 24th, I had a winner to announce at their end-of-the-year party!
It was a hot day, but the students were in high spirits. I entered the building and was directed to the gym, where I was able to spend some time with kids. They were celebrating a year of hard work coming to a close and I was happy to see them enjoying themselves.
It was a hot day, but the students were in high spirits. I entered the building and was directed to the gym, where I was able to spend some time with kids. They were celebrating a year of hard work coming to a close and I was happy to see them enjoying themselves.
After a little while, I made my way back upstairs to the main office, where I was to announce the class winners on the loud speaker. I picked up the microphone and announced, "In total, PS8 helped me raised $1,500! Of this, the winning class raised $335 and they are....4-208!" I then grabbed my box full of goodies (prizes for 4-208) and was led to their room, where I found them cheering and celebrating! I gave them each a large signed bottle of bubbles and some ice pops to keep cool!
I took some time to speak with the students and ask them what they did to raise the money they donated. I heard some wonderful stories; from how they donated chore money to how they created bake sales and garage sales. I couldn't have been more proud of them and it was rewarding to know that I really did show them the importance of selflessness and volunteering.
PS8 did a fantastic job in helping me raise money for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. $1,500 will go a long way in benefiting a local CMN Hospital. Thank you to Principal Esposito, the PS8 students, and the faculty/staff who encouraged these children every step of the way! You are all Miracle Makers!