A social media campaign helped drive the successful fundraising effort. Some of the clever posts and photos were like this one: Chicken Math 101: Math is eggs-iting and eggs-acting. Rule #1. Don't count your chickens before they're hatched!
The campaign, centered around the purchase of chickens, showcased the students’ commitment to making a difference in the world.
"We were thrilled to involve our students in the process," said Carmen Magray, a teacher for grades K–2 at the academy. "When we presented them with the various projects from ADRA’s catalog, they enthusiastically voted for chickens, and it was clear that their hearts were set on this initiative."
Launching the month-long campaign in August, the school community set a goal to raise funds through a walk-a-thon scheduled for September 20th. Each student aimed to raise $44—the amount needed to purchase two chickens and their feed—which would require them to walk a mile for each donation secured.
"We wanted to purchase two chickens per student, amounting to a goal of 58 chickens," Magray explained. To spread awareness about the campaign, AJA utilized their social media platforms, sharing vibrant photos of students dressed in chicken costumes at various locations on campus. Each post was cleverly captioned with chicken puns to engage the community.
The excitement extended to the local church, where the school communicated their goals during announcements. "The kids dressed in chicken costumes really made an impact when we shared ADRA’s needs with the congregation," Magray recounted. "The support from our Green Bay church family was overwhelming."
On the day of the walk-a-thon, the students showcased their dedication as they collectively walked 71 miles. Students in grades K–6 walked two miles each, while those in grades 7–10 walked three miles each. Following the event, additional contributions continued to pour in, further boosting their fundraising total.
Scott Davis, the school treasurer, joyfully called an ADRA representative and let them know he would be sending a total of $3,036, which is enough for 138 chickens. “There was a pause on the other end of the line and the person replied, ‘Wow!’”
The success of this initiative not only highlighted the power of community engagement but also served a greater purpose. The students learned valuable lessons about compassion and the importance of aiding others both locally and globally.
“We set out to not just raise money for chickens, but also to help our students understand the significance of caring for others,” Magray remarked. “Together, we truly can make a difference!”
Curated by Herald staff
