Charity Bash a hit in Lake Zurich schools

While most students were counting down the days until winter break, kids in Lake Zurich Unit District 95 were keeping track of something else — the thousands of dollars they've raised for charity.

During the eighth year of the annual Charity Bash this month, District 95 students, teachers and administrators raised $41,243 to donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, said Chris Bennett, a student council adviser and teacher at Lake Zurich High School.

Although the District 95 donates to a different charity each year, the money raised during the 2010 event brings the grand total to more than $275,000 since the project began, Bennett said.

When choosing a charity, Bennett said, it must be a cause that has a connection to the district and effects children.

“We've always liked the concept of kids helping kids,” he said.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was chosen for the 2010 Charity Bash because of a student who lost her mother to the disease, as well as a teacher whose sister is living with it.

The money is raised through a wide range of events, large and small, over a two-week period. From an auction wall with items donated from local businesses to a dodgeball tournament to a talent show, Bennett said their goal is to find a way for everyone to get involved.

“Charity Bash has quickly become the favorite event of the year at the high school,” Bennett said.

In addition to after-school events, teachers got involved with the fundraising during the day. Some teachers pitted classes against one another as a competition, or challenged their class to raise a certain amount for various prizes.

“It's great to see 2,000 kids work together to raise money for a charity, especially during the holiday season,” Bennett said. “We always tell them it's about the power of individuals versus the power of the team. People working together can create more than on their own.”

Amie Hansen, a Lake Zurich High School junior and student council vice-president, was hands-on with planning Charity Bash from the beginning this year and said all the hard work was worth it.

While other schools may do a charity event, Hansen said, the two-week affair at Lake Zurich is something the students plan and look forward to all year.

“My favorite part is just being involved and seeing how Charity Bash brings the school together,” she said. “One person can make a difference by donating one dollar.”