AHS raises dough for Camp Kemo; new fundraising ideas suggested for next year

For 24 consecutive years, Airport’s students and staff have raised a whopping $500,000 for Camp Kemo. “We are the largest public school contributor to the Camp,” said Airport’s student activities director, Daniel Bailey.

The fundraising for Camp Kemo is done within one week that is known as Charity Drive Week. “It’s a legacy that is left so to see us come together for this one cause and raise as much money as we can is heartwarming,” said student body president, Chris S. Throughout the week, Airport’s students participate in a number of events including: spirit nights, food sells, pet-a-puppy, block buyouts, jail-lockup, 3rd block throwdown, food fest, etc.

Although Airport’s charity drive raises thousands of dollars each year, sometimes they still fall short of their goals. Last year, Airport raised just over $50,000 while the goal was $60,000. In order for Airport to not only reach their goals but exceed them, Airport should add some new and improved events.

For example, jail-lockup should be altered. As of now, students and staff are allowed to pay $10.00 to lockup a single person or $75.00 to lockup an entire class. A single person who is locked up has to raise $20 in order to get out or simply wait out the 90-minute period. An entire class has to raise $100 in order to get out or simply wait out the 90-minute period. I say, instead of giving people the liberty of leaving, keep them locked up for as long as it takes for them to raise the money. If it takes the entire day, so be it. This change is guaranteed to rack up the dough.

Other events that should be improved are the block buyouts. Currently, students are allowed to pay $5 to their block teacher to buyout for one block a day. I believe students should be allowed to buyout of each class for each day of the week, have it count as an excused absence, and be excused from any work on those days.

Students should also be able to pay for a free 100%. This event wouldn’t even have a price tag. Any amount a student would be willing to pay for it should be accepted. I mean, who wouldn’t pay for a free 100% in the gradebook?

Charity Drive has many different ways to raise money for Camp Kemo but could raise even more by adding the following events to the list.