Lansing Middle School eighth grader Aliya Martinez recently turned her desire to help others into action, spending three months organizing a fundraiser to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center in Leavenworth.
Aliya began the project with a goal of raising $100 while also bringing greater awareness to the work of the Children’s Advocacy Center. By the time her fundraiser was complete, she had surpassed that goal, raising $170 to support the organization.
“I wanted to help spread awareness, even if the donation is not much,” said Aliya.
Aliya developed her idea and presented it to her school counselor, Becky Wecas, and Principal Brooks Jenkins before moving forward with her plans. She then used social media to seek donations for themed baskets, created promotional flyers, assembled the baskets, and held silent auctions during school events to reach more people.
Mrs. Wecas helped her develop the fundraising idea and identify opportunities to hold the silent auctions, and her mother helped share requests for basket donations online. Aliya took the lead on bringing the project to life.
The experience ended up teaching Aliya something about herself, too.
“I learned that I’m very passionate about this topic, and that I love helping people for the better of my community and maybe even people outside of it,” she said.
Aliya said she felt proud when she was finally able to make the donation, not only because she exceeded her original fundraising goal, but because of everything she accomplished along the way.
“I met new people and met the goal I never thought I’d reach,” she said.
Aliya hopes her project also encourages greater awareness of child sexual abuse and the importance of helping young people recognize when something may be wrong.
“So much is going on around us that we can’t see the signs of it happening around us or to us,” Aliya said. “I’m hoping my donation will help teach children more about this topic so that we remain aware and the children of the future remain safe.”
Her ultimate goal is simple. “I want to help children one community at a time.”
Lansing USD 469 thanks Aliya for making a positive difference in our community!
