Crystal Lake teachers raise money to help local charity
Last month, the Crystal Lake Elementary Teachers Association (CLETA) was able to present a check for $6,400 to help the pantry to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry.
The donation was a result of an event that took place last November that allowed teachers, administrators, and staff of District 47 to give to the local food pantry in exchange for the privilege of wearing jeans to work for a day.
The fundraiser takes place every November, and was started about 10 years ago by CLETA in an attempt to raise funds for the pantry, as well as build awareness of the problem of need in the community.
Shari Chakoian, who is a past co-president of CLETA, says the fundraiser has changed from its beginnings. Initially, each school in the district did a different project, such as holding a raffle or a luncheon. Having heard of the success of ‘jeans days’ in other schools, they decided to do the same thing.
Four years ago, the fundraising effort was so successful that CLETA had the ability to get a mobile food pantry to a Crystal Lake church, and provide people to run it.
Since the effort becoming more successful each year, CLETA could build on the continuing success of the event by working with brochure printers on a mailer for residents. The booklet could discuss the history of the fundraiser, the amounts raised, and plans for the future.
The donation was a result of an event that took place last November that allowed teachers, administrators, and staff of District 47 to give to the local food pantry in exchange for the privilege of wearing jeans to work for a day.
The fundraiser takes place every November, and was started about 10 years ago by CLETA in an attempt to raise funds for the pantry, as well as build awareness of the problem of need in the community.
Shari Chakoian, who is a past co-president of CLETA, says the fundraiser has changed from its beginnings. Initially, each school in the district did a different project, such as holding a raffle or a luncheon. Having heard of the success of ‘jeans days’ in other schools, they decided to do the same thing.
Four years ago, the fundraising effort was so successful that CLETA had the ability to get a mobile food pantry to a Crystal Lake church, and provide people to run it.
Since the effort becoming more successful each year, CLETA could build on the continuing success of the event by working with brochure printers on a mailer for residents. The booklet could discuss the history of the fundraiser, the amounts raised, and plans for the future.