The members of IHA’s Culture Club held a bake sale on October 14, making and selling special tie-dye cupcakes to raise money for She’s the First. The funds raised will help provide scholarships to girls in low-income countries, girls who will be the first in their families to graduate high school.
In 2010, a University of Notre Dame sophomore organized a bake sale with her soccer team to fundraise for She’s the First, hoping to send a girl to school in Nepal. The team used food coloring as the magical ingredient to catch students’ eyes and stop them in their tracks. Their tie-dye cupcakes sold out and the team ended up sponsoring three girls in Nepal.
By 2011, She’s the First declared its first tie-dye cupcake bake-off “to bring fun friendly competition and camaraderie” to the movement. Since that time, schools and organizations have held bake sales between October 11, the International Day of the Girl, and November 1, the anniversary of She’s the First. IHA sophomore, Kaitlyn Bertolino’18, said when she read about the organization, she instantly knew she wanted IHA to get involved.
“I think it’s wonderful that students my age across the nation are helping organizations like She’s the First because not only is it helping kids our age go to high school, it also makes a huge impact on the individual,” Katilyn said. “When you reach the goal you were going for, it makes you feel amazing. You feel like even though it’s only one girl you’re helping, you are still making a huge change. I think that everyone our age should be able to feel that way.”
IHA’s Culture Club, moderated by social studies department chair, Ms. Pat McDonough, surpassed their fundraising goal of $400 and ended up raising $507. Michelle Kaminski'16, a senior officer of the Culture Club, said it feels incredible to have the opportunity to help a foundation like She’s the First at such a young age.
"I know the struggles that many first generation families have to face, and given the chance to make a difference right within my school is something I wouldn't have even imagined is possible,” Michelle said. “It is not often that one will find teenage girls willingly making an effort to help other girls in need, and that is one thing which makes Culture Club and IHA as a whole so unique and special."
Over the past three years, IHA’s Culture Club has raised money for the Afghan Institute of Learning and the EdPowerment foundation, an organization that supports education in Tanzania, created by former IHA faculty member and alumna parent, Moira Madonia. The Culture Club thanks all of those in the Immaculate Heart community who consistently support its cause and who joined in this sweet movement for girls’ education.