Ashley Durfee of Red Mountain High School cuddles a shelter puppy during a Change for Change fund-raising event.
Red Mountain High School was in it to win it during the annual Change for Change coin drive this past January.
After taking fifth place last year, the Lions roared to first place, with more than $6,000 collected. Westwood High School took second place, with $3,615. Mountain View placed third, with $3,555. In total, Dobson, Mesa, Mountain View, Red Mountain, Skyline and Westwood high schools raised approximately $22,000 in nine days.
“We are happy to help in the community,” said Jessie Pomonis, Red Mountain student council adviser. “It feels great to win, but, overall, it’s for United Way to put to good use.”
Change for Change is a nine-day coin drive challenge between six Mesa high schools. Mesa Public Schools Superintendent Michael Cowan and student council members conceived the idea as a friendly competition between schools for a good cause.
“I’m thrilled with the results of Change for Change,” Michael said. “For the second year in a row, our students have come together to change the lives of families in our community. I am proud of our students for their dedication to service and the teamwork they’ve shown to make this another successful drive.”
All funds collected during Change for Change benefit Mesa United Way. The money goes toward feeding the community via organizations such as United Food Bank and Paz de Cristo. Last year, students collected almost $15,000.
“The impact of Change for Change goes beyond just providing food,” explained Mesa United Way Executive Vice President Mark Young. “When young people are given proper nutrition, they’re more successful in school. When families are relieved of the anxiety of how to provide the basic need of food, they’re able to use their money for housing and other necessities,” he continued. “People are emancipated from the sense of helplessness and hunger because of the dollars these students raise.”
Red Mountain High School was successful thanks to creative ideas, such as charging students to cuddle puppies from an animal shelter during lunch.
“We give 100 percent of the credit for the puppy idea to student body co-president Elyse Tonioli and her mom, Patty,” Jessie said. “Elyse spearheaded the communication efforts with getting approval from our principal, and our student council did the legwork to bring the shelter dogs here. Our student body responded with big donations to our puppy parties.”
For more information about all Mesa Public Schools, please visit www.mpsaz.org.