‘Tis the season for giving, and students at Armstrong Elementary School are not only helping a family in need, but a fellow Aviator. The campus launched a Mighty Mia fundraiser to benefit fifth-grader Mia Alfred, who doctors recently diagnosed with stage 3 throat and neck cancer.
Hearing of Alfred’s condition, Armstrong students sprang into action.
“Fifth-graders were very concerned to hear that one of their peers was sick, and they wanted to help,” said teacher Amanda DuCharme. “They knew she would need many expensive chemotherapy treatments, so they started making and selling rainbow loom bracelets.”
The charitable entrepreneurs developed a business plan and secured supplies from parent donations. They also advertised with posters throughout the building, made morning announcements and even wrote letters to newspapers. In just two weeks, students have sold more than 850 bracelets, raising more than $1700.
And the fundraiser has now expanded to include handmade bookmarks by Alfred’s sister and her third-grade class.
“We know Olivia and want to help her sister get better,” said third-grader Gina Disi.
Another group of students also started selling school supplies this week.
“One day in the hospital can cost $1,000,” said fourth-grader Destiny Doggett. “The more we raise, the longer she can stay.”
Armstrong students plan to raise a lot more money with sales before, after and sometimes during school. Fifth-graders also say they just received 300 purple bracelets with Alfred’s name inscribed, which they will sell throughout January. All the proceeds from Mighty Mia fundraisers will be donated directly to Alfred’s family.
