Edmond high schools kick off fundraising
Over the next five weeks, Edmond’s three high schools will be involved in separate philanthropic drives, which annually help nonprofits with hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Last year, the schools were able to collect a combined $890,721. Over the decades, millions of dollars have been raised.
During the regular Edmond Board of Education meeting this week, Superintendent Bret Towne noted the upcoming campaigns. He pointed out the strong lesson students learn by helping others and their community.
The first drive will begin at Edmond North High School. Its week will culminate with a final assembly on Feb. 16 at the Siberian Gym. The final assemblies feature the grand total raised during the campaigns. Called BALTO, or Bring a Light To Others, the school has held the benefit since 1995, around the founding of North.
This year’s cause is subtitled “Hugs for Hope,” and is a collaboration benefiting three nonprofits, Mother Huggers, Anna’s House Foundation and Pepper’s Ranch. Mother Huggers’ website bills it as a group empowering needy women and children worldwide by creating social entrepreneurs. Anna’s House Foundation helps foster children, and Pepper’s Ranch in Guthrie aids abused and neglected children.
Each of the three high schools schedules various benefits during the school year, and especially in the weeks and days leading up to the final assembly. For instance, BALTO will hold a dog show Monday with a $10 entry fee.
Next will come Double Wolf Dare Week at Edmond Santa Fe High School.
The school’s event is named after a twist on a somewhat popular saying “I double dog dare you.” The cause selected this year is the Cavett Kids Foundation. That group funds camps for children who have severe illnesses. Santa Fe’s final assembly usually features a pig being kissed, as well as the shaving of heads — all done to raise last-minute funds.
The philanthropic campaigns end right before spring break with Swine Week at Edmond Memorial High School.
Until the 1990s, Memorial was the only high school in Edmond. It kick-started the season of giving in 1986 as a school administrator vowed to kiss a pig to help raise funds. That led to the name Swine Week, and students have banded together for decades in helping others.
For the 32nd edition, they’ll be involved with assisting Make Promises Happen — a nonprofit dedicated to providing an outdoor-oriented haven for people older than 6 with special needs.
This year’s common thread cause for all three high schools is the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma.
Each school will donate 5 percent of their respective grand totals to the group.