Students in the Beach Middle School leadership class explained upcoming Avalon Housing fundraisers to their school mates during three Friday afternoon assemblies.
They unveiled fundraising plans such as dress-up days and dances that will benefit the nonprofit agency that provides affordable housing and other services to those in need throughout the county.
During the assemblies, students watched a short video that explained the services provided by the organization — including affordable housing, social services, and after-school programs and tutoring.
Katheryn McCalla, an 8th-grade gold teacher, said that students in the elective leadership class chose Avalon Housing last spring. She said any 7th or 8th grade student can choose to take the class during which students learn leadership skills, listen to guest speakers and participate in public service activities such as fundraisers for nonprofits.
Three charities are chosen each year — one per trimester.
Principal Nick Angel said in the past, students have chosen to support organizations such as the St. Louis Center, Make-A-Wish and many other causes, “but Avalon Housing is special to me.”
Avalon Housing’s mission is to help people move beyond homelessness according to information in the video and they are helping about 500 tenants in about 280 apartments throughout the county.
Kim Wilcox, director of development and communications, thanked the students for choosing Avalon, and told them that all money raised by the school would go directly to after-school programs for children in the organization’s housing centers.
