British School students learn lesson of giving

Houston Chronicle
December 17, 2007

British School students learn lesson of giving
By Valerie Sweeten

Fundraising during the holiday season has never been more fun for students at The British School, 4211 Watonga.

Students, ages 3-18, hosted an array of fundraisers in a two-week period, which resulted in more than $6,000.

The proceeds were be given to The Salvation Army and to purchase items for 12 families referred by Chapelwood Church, 11140 Greenbay.

Donations were distributed by secondary-school students on Dec. 19.

Carol Jones, TBS's head of the secondary school, was tickled at the creativity of her students, who reside in Spring, Cypress, Memorial, Katy, The Woodlands and Missouri City.

Fundraising tales ranged from a shaved head to lemonade stands and bake sales.

Their goal was to beat last year's total of $4,500.

"This was the best year ever," Jones said. "Everyone was coming up with so many ideas, and they all were fantastic. Each level of students competed against each other."

Students actively participated by interviewing families and shopping for the needed items.

A three-hour trip with 60 student council members and several teachers to Wal-Mart, 13484 Northwest Freeway, who donated $50 to the cause, was a whirlwind of shopping baskets filled with toys, clothes, household items and basic necessities.

Students Babiche Routledge and Kar-Chong Leung, head girl and head boy respectively, found the experience enlightening.

"This puts life in perspective," Routledge said. "It was so personal and interactive when we saw what we could buy. It made you realize how fortunate you really are when you see someone else's reality in front of your face."

Leung said it was memorable for him, too.

"It was a very interesting learning experience to see what $300 could buy for each family. It was challenging to find gifts that would be nice," he said.

The families will also receive $100 gift card to an area grocery store.

Janaquin Clark, key stage 4 learning coordinator at TBS, organized the fundraising efforts.

When Clark came to the school five years ago, she wanted to implement a community-based program where students would give back to people in need.

"This ensures that the entire school participates," she said. "It was a huge effort in team spirit because we were working together for one cause. We were able to help families that ranged from six members to 11 members."

Clark was overwhelmed with the generosity of the school.

"This school community has inspired me," Clark said. "I feel really humbled. All of our teachers are so proud of each and every individual here."