Student Government wraps up preparations for this year’s Charity Drive Event

by Owen S.

As of March 15, 2023 the Airport High School Student Government Association has finalized the calendar of exciting events for their 29th annual Charity Drive. Decorations have started to go up, and the morale our school boasts every spring has spread through the halls. The festivities are set to commence next week starting on Monday the 20th and will run until Saturday the 25th.

Charity Drive is historically the largest annual event our school has the pleasure of hosting, due to the variety of events to participate in, and the scale of which these activities are. Students can participate in many fun activities, from buyouts with your friends, to getting to smash a car with a baseball bat. What’s more important, however, is the reason behind putting it on in the first place. All of the money raised from Charity Drive is donated to Camp Kemo, a summer camp put on by Prisma Health that allows kids with cancer to attend and put aside all the stress of being a patient. Camp Kemo gives these kids an opportunity to be just that, a kid.

These past two years our Student Government Association has seen two new advisors, both continuing on the council’s tradition in aiding in funds for Camp Kemo. This year's new advisor, Mrs. Martinez, has been planning and will carry out these philanthropic events. Mrs. Martinez has been a Spanish teacher at Airport and still teaches the class now, along with student government. She has made it her mission to make every event as great as it can be, despite the challenges of being new to the organization, and strives to do the same and more with Charity Drive.

Just like the other week long events at Airport, Charity Drive has a theme that each dress-up day is based off of. This is actually the first time that Charity Drive has had a theme. The overarching message of the week is Camp Kemo is “Where Dream Come True,” which is all about Disney movies and their respective characters. Each day is centered around a different character. Students and staff can dress in the corresponding color palette for that day, or if you want to go all out, dress as the character themself. It’s up to you. Each day is dedicated to a different type of cancer, and recognizes the effects they have.

Airports Student Government typically plans months ahead, from getting events they bring to the students approved, to reserving restaurants for the daily spirit nights. Council members work together across each grade to plan and execute their respective events. Student Body Treasurer, and fourth year member of council, Kaden P. enjoys the preparation process because “it’s a lot of fun working out how each activity will translate directly into more money for more kids to go to Camp Kemo.”

There’s a lot to like about Charity Drive, but we all know that the best part is getting to donate all the money our school raises to the Camp Kemo charity. That is what makes the months of planning and working all worthwhile. Leah C. another helper who works to plan Charity Drive, believes “Charity Drive is so great because you’re not just helping people in your same community, you’re reaching out and changing the life of someone you’ve never met.” She also goes on to say, “seeing what that money did and how that money impacted all those children’s lives is incredible,” when recalling past charity drives.

Of course, Charity Drive is an all-inclusive event that depends on help from not only Student Government, but also teachers, our community, and most importantly, the student body. Students can show their support by visiting the canteen, participating in buy-out days, and even becoming volunteers in certain events. One such event is the ‘chair-ity’ drive, where students can decorate and sell a recycled chair provided by Student Government with their own design, where the chairs are then entered into a bid on the school’s Facebook account. Maggie P, a participant, said that her favorite thing about Charity Drive is ‘chair-ity’ drive because “it gives [her] the opportunity to help raise money directly even if [she’s] not a part of the student government.” Other artists like Maggie can also offer their talents to directly help raise funds.

As we slowly edge towards the end of the school year, it can be pretty easy to get tired of the often monotonous school day. That’s why we’re all excited for Charity Drive to finally return and break the monotony. Instead of worrying about a test they have the next day, students will be enjoying donuts and games, stress free.

Typically, Mr. Eagle, a satirical, all-male version of Miss Aquila, acts as the week's kick-off event. Unfortunately, the event will be delayed this year due to a lack of participation. The event will now be the closing of Charity Drive, so remember to come out and support those competing for the crown!

With such a jam packed event, it can be hard to keep track of everything that’s going on. Luckily, if you need extra info, all you need to do is look up the student government instagram page, check the Airport website, or talk to Mrs. Martinez or a member of student government directly.