Edmond high school raises nearly $480,000 for Make Promises Happen program
The three Edmond high schools’ major annual philanthropic projects ended Friday with Edmond Memorial High School raising $479,807 for the nonprofit group Make Promises Happen.
Donations were made possible by Edmond Memorial’s student-led effort, named Swine Week.
This year’s recipient, a program of Central Oklahoma Camp & Conference Center, annually helps hundreds of special-needs individuals older than 6 have a chance to enjoy a camping experience. It also provides their caregivers a rest and ensures a safe and pleasant environment for campers.
Josh McClennahan, executive director of the group, said the funds would be used to build a new multipurpose center. The new building will allow for more meeting space at the center south of Guthrie and will be a staging area for events such as talent shows. He estimated a construction price at $500,000.
“What’s raised here will be more than a dent in funding this,” he said. He was also pleased with the attitude shown by the students.
“The kids are so organized and so devoted to this cause,” he said.
On Friday, thousands packed into Edmond Memorial’s recently refurbished gymnasium.
“This is great,” principal Tony Rose said. “This week is the first time we’ve been able to meet again here. Swine Week is a time when all of us can come together.”
Co-chairing Swine Week were Memorial students Ellie Hankins, a junior, and seniors Anna Hall and Cassidy Mask.
Hankins said she has been working on the benefit since last April.
“It’s something to have all 2,000 or so students engaged in such a positive goal,” she said.
Another volunteer from the Memorial Student Council was Cade Shirley, a junior.
“We’re giving back here and this is something which won’t last for only a year or two,” he said. “This is something that could be around and helping kids 50 years from now. It’s (Make Promises Happen) an amazing organization. This has been a fun and emotional time.”
Students and guests filled every seat and almost every available floor space in the gym. One Swine Week dare done to raise money saw staff member Craig Stobbe shave off his mustache. He showed the large former mustache to the crowd and noted he had been growing it since 1999.
Students cheered loudly for not only Make Promises Happen, but the Common Thread recipient, the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma (DSACO). Mike Khlem, a Memorial graduate himself and parent of a daughter with Down syndrome, thanked the group for the donation, which is 5 percent of $479,807. North and Santa Fe also donated 5 percent of their funds to DSACO.
Khlem received thunderous applause when he reminded the students he, too, was a Memorial Bulldog.
The assembly also saw a live auction for two parking spaces, a quilt, artwork and two puppies, which drew many “Ahhs” from the group. To encourage higher bids, students occasionally started to chant “For the kids, for the kids,” inspiring bidders to bump up their totals. After the items were auctioned off, a plea went out to have either parents, alumni or other guests simply pledge larger sums of money, ranging from $100 to $500. That alone raised at least $4,000.
Edmond Schools administrators and others say the annual benefits help teach students about the value of community and giving back.
In his remarks to the students, McClennahan stressed the importance of helping.
“Swine Week doesn’t stop today,” he told the overflow crowd. “What you’re doing is transformative. Please consider volunteering to help us.”
Previous benefits were held at Edmond Santa Fe High School as well as Edmond North High School. Edmond North began the benefits almost a month ago with BALTO, or Bring a Light to Others. That effort raised almost $650,000 to benefit three groups that primarily helped foster children. Up next was Edmond Santa Fe with Double Wolf Dare Week on March 5. The students collected $204,206 to help the Cavett Kids Foundation, a group helping ill children attend camps.
For Edmond Memorial High School, Swine Week dates back to 1986. The other two Edmond high schools started their respective benefits when their schools were founded in the 1990s.