With the Youth Action Council’s help, high schools throughout the three-county area served by the Heartland Community Foundation became involved in fundraising for the foundation during Match Month. The students also talked to their parents and grandparents, some of whom became new donors.

Rooks, Trego and Ellis counties all exceeded their fundraising goal.

Students hosted a range of fundraising events, from a free babysitting night to Team Stockton vs. Team Plainville collection buckets at a basketball game. In a “Run for Change” event, an entire high school had three minutes for everyone to run to their cars and collect loose change. The winning class won a pizza party paid for by student council. That event raised $202 in three minutes.

High school students were quick to comment and share social media posts, which helped to grow the audience for those posts.