The Pacific A group of Ingrid B. Lacy Middle School students is demonstrating that age is not a barrier to change.
These young pupils made the decision to assist in raising money after being moved by the destruction caused by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles.
With the help of their teacher, Kathryn Sosnowski, what started out as a straightforward class project evolved into a massive fundraising. Inspired by the tales of devastation and loss, the kids started a GoFundMe campaign to give money to victims of wildfires.
“As a community, we are really trying to teach our students at IBL to care about others, no matter who those others are,” Sosnowski stated. “This has been just another example of kids coming together to help each other.”
The cause holds great personal significance for certain pupils. Sofia Salinas described how her brother, a South San Francisco firefighter, was sent to Los Angeles to assist in battling the fire.
“He had the option to go to the fires, and he chose to go,” Salinas said. “It’s really heartfelt because I was scared, but I know he was saving people.”
Children like themselves had lost everything in the fires, and other kids recognized the need to assist them.
“It’s for the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation, so we can help students who lost all their education stuff,” the girl who organized the fundraiser, Gianna Nieves, explained.
The children wanted to aid the animals impacted by the crisis in addition to helping people. In order to create space in shelters for animals saved from fire areas, they collaborated with Rocket Dog Rescue to host a dog adoption event in Pacifica.
“We are helping get dogs adopted, which means for these kiddos, they get to hold puppies for hours on end,” Sosnowski explained.
This Sunday, February 9, is the date of the pet adoption event in Pacifica.
Already, their efforts have yielded results. They have raised almost $5,000 in less than a week, demonstrating their commitment and the strength of young voices.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.