A Whirlwind Fundraiser!

It took third-graders at Big Bend Elementary School in Big Bend, Wisconsin, only a few minutes each day during the last two weeks of school to help students 866 miles away.

Liam Hughes and Dylan Osvatic, Webelos 1 Scouts from Cub Scout Pack 26, spearheaded a fundraiser that raised more than $1,300 that was inspired to help families affected by the May 20 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. Dylan and his family read a Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel news story about third-graders at Briarwood Elementary School who survived the tornado, thanks to a teach who shielded them in a closet while the tornado ripped off the school’s roof.

Dylan’s younger brother, Jamie, remembered seeing a picture of a tornado in the June 2013 issue of Boys’ Life magazine. After reading that article, the boys paged through the rest of the issue and found the story “Super Storm, Super Scouts,” which told about Scouts across the country who helped victims of Hurricane Sandy.

“After reading those storeis, I really wanted to help the tornado victims, because if that happened to our school, I’d want people to help us,” Dylan said. He talked with his friend Liam and the two decided to collect money to help families affected by disasters. “We researched the Red Cross and found out they were the best place to donate because most of our money goes right to the people to help them,” explained Liam. The boys discussed the project with Meghan Stone, their third-grade teacher. “This is an amazing thing they are doing for others,” she said. “I love their kind hearts and willingness to help others.”

Stone encouraged them to type up a proposal and present it to the school’s principal for approval. “I was so impressed with their ‘business plan’,” said Principal Shawn Waller after meeting with the boys. “It’s amazing how much we can learn from kids – helping others in need whom they have never met. The good they are doing for others will be something they remember forever!”

The boys then reached out to Cubmaster John Hahn and recruited their den to make posters announcing the “Take 10 to Give 10″ fundraiser. Posted in the hallways, the signs encouraged students to “take 10 seconds to contibute 10 dimes, 10 quarters or 10 dollars” to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief to assist those affected by disasters like the Oklahoma Tornadoes and rebuilding efforts.

“What a couple of awesome guys – coming up with a way to help people in need!” Hahn said. “These boys deserve kudos for this. I’m impressed with their leadership and thank all of our Webelos 1 guys for helping out.”

Liam, Dylan and fellow Scout Mason Kluss appeared on BBTV, the school’s daily announcement program televised in each classroom, to inform students and faculty about their project and their $1,000 goal. They asked the school’s PTO to share the information with parents and emailed their own families and friends requesting donations as well. With the firs week spent getting approval and publicizing the fundraiser, the second week was dedicated to collecting.

Liam Hughes (left) and Dylan Osvatic stand next to the tornado chart tracking the progress toward their $1,000 goal.

Stone’s third-grade class was eager to do its part. Her students visited each classroom in the school daily that week to collect donations and count them as part of math time. They created an illustration of a big tornado that was displayed in the school to track the progress toward their goal. “It was really fun and it wasn’t a lot of work because our whole class wanted to help,” Dylan said. The effort raised $1,349.10 for the Red Cross. “I wasn’t sure if we could reach our goal in just one week,” he confessed. “But when we did, that was amazing!”

“Everyone who donated helped us a lot to pass our goal by $349. I’m not kidding!” Liam said. “I feel proud that we helped a lot of people.”

Marci Hughes, Liam’s mother and a Title 1 teacher at the school, echoed his sentiments. “We’re thrilled with the boys’ efforts and so proud of them,” she said.

For those wondering just how much the boys helped:

• $10 provides the simple comfort of a hot meal
• $50 provides the comfort of knowing someone will be fed and sheltered that day
• $100 proveds five families the basic supplies they need to clean up their damaged homes