Philanthropy and charitable giving is a key theme for students at Crossroads South Middle School (New Jersey, USA). This Beta Unit group of seventh and eighth graders has been busy lately bettering the lives of others.

Currently, the Beta unit is making flower pens for a fundraiser.  The pens are ballpoint pens wrapped in green floral tape with an artificial flower glued on top.  Students sell these pens for a dollar each, and they donate the money raised to Azione Verde, a charity organization started by Reverend Father Bonifacio to build schools for children in Nigeria.  In October 2009, Father Bonifacio visited the Beta unit to thank them for their fundraising efforts and show how the money was being used.  100% of the money donated goes directly to the children, and more information and how to donate can be found at their website, www.azioneverde.org.  Last year, the Beta unit had donated $1,200 to the charity organization by selling flower pens for Mother’s Day, and is continuing the tradition this year.

The Beta unit has also organized other fundraisers in the past, such as the rose sale for Valentine’s Day.  Beta sold roses with message hearts and students stayed afterschool to attach the hearts to the roses and deliver them to homerooms.  For the last two years, Beta has donated the money raised, $700 both years, to the Love Karina Fund.  This money goes toward treatment for a young baby girl with mitochondrial disorder, a condition that disrupts the body’s metabolism.  For information about Love Karina, you may visit them at www.love-karina.blogspot.com.

Mrs. Antonia Edwards has helped to organize these fundraisers for Beta and has just received the Teacher of the Year award.  Through everyone’s hard work, dedication, and spirit, this remarkable group of middle school students have touched many hearts through their fundraising efforts and is proud to carry on their great tradition of giving.

                                                                                     Written by Cynthia Lo