Warren top fundraising school in the nation

DOWNEY- Warren High School was named the top fundraising school in the nation after collecting $37,575 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.Runner-ups were Oak Point Intermediate in Ed Prairie, Minn., ($36,053); Princeton High School in Cincinatti ($30,560); Mt. Pisgah Christian School in Georgia ($29,568); and Walter Johnson High School in Maryland ($29,497). Approximately 980 schools in the Greater Los Angeles area participated in the Pennies for Patients fundraiser, in which students collect spare change to help fund research seeking cures for all blood cancers, including leukemia. Warren High used creative techniques to beat out 25,000 schools that participated in the fundraisier nationally. In March, Warren organized a NCAA basketball tournament bracket, only the contest was based on how much funds their "team" raised. The contest garnered $16,000 for the campaign. In another contest, the student couple who raised the most money won two prom tickets. Teachers and staff also became involved in the fundraiser. "After brainstorming the best way to achieve their goals the students realized that the teachers had to get involved if the students were going to be on board," said Cari White, activities director at Warren. "In addition, we knew we had to come up with good incentives and make it competitive. This was truly a school-wide effort." For its efforts, Warren High School students can choose to receive a free pizza party or lunch from Olive Garden.

********** Published: June 11, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 8