Gear Up For a Great School Year – Back to School Drive
In a world of instant gratification and technology answering many of our wants, there are still needs for our local students. Katie Lofing and Lauren Anderson, both inductees of the GISH National Honor Society, where members are challenged every year with developing and executing a service project. Lofing and Anderson set their sights on Shoemaker Elementary, a non-Title I school. This designation limits federal funding for supporting students meeting Nebraska’s academic standards, therefore, identifying Shoemaker as a prime candidate for a service project. Anderson said, “While many choose smaller activities, we wanted to create something meaningful.”
Lofing and Anderson identified that having the proper supplies helps ensure a successful learning environment. They began structuring their project around procuring crucial school supplies for all students attending Shoemaker Elementary to diminish financial stress on teachers and parents. Anderson said, “We raised over $2,000, which we used to purchase and donate school supplies such as notebooks, crayons, binders, pencil cases, tissues, and markers.”
Without a well-executed fundraising campaign, a great project could very well struggle to attain its intensions. This is where the GIPS Foundation steps in to foster great ideas and ensure they thrive.
Candi Wiemers, Programs & Marketing Coordinator for the GIPS Foundation provided counsel for Lofing and Anderson as they worked to develop a strong plan. Wiemers said, “I helped them organize and gather the information needed to create a fundraiser page hosted through our GIPS Foundation website. This page collects credit card donations, information to thank donors, and is easily shared on social media. It was a great bonus experience for the students in addition to a successful fundraiser.”
Enlisting the resources and fundraising experience of the GIPS Foundation, provided security and exposure to propel Lofing and Anderson’s fundraising project. Setting a fundraising goal of $1,800, Lofing and Anderson successfully surpassed that target number to raise $2,025.
Kari Price, GIPS Foundation Finance & Operations Coordinator, helped Lofing and Anderson navigate through the fundraising collection process. Price said, “It was an honor to support Lauren and Katie on this project. Through the Foundation’s capacity to accept donations on their behalf, they were able to raise funds, purchase school supplies, and deliver them directly to students. Watching high school students step up, take an active role in their community, and make a difference for younger students was truly inspiring.”
Lofing and Anderson are grateful for the community support for their passion project. Anderson said, “Our success largely came from the strong relationships we had already built within the community and effective social media outreach. Through this experience, we learned the importance of building strong connections with community leaders. The generosity and support of others made this project possible.”
