Casey Clifford
Reporter
Students were happy to see English teacher Michael McAteer strut down the hallways on Nov. 20 because of Charity Link’s recent fundraiser. Charity Link is a fundraising and community service club at NCHS, which used to be a part of the national organization Key Club. Three years ago, the club branched out and renamed themselves Charity Link, becoming a completely student and teacher driven organization.
English teacher and Charity Link’s faculty advisor Kristen Brown explained why the club enjoys their independence from Key Club. “One of the freedoms of changing our name is we get to choose the charities we donate to and we don’t have to follow any specific rules,” she said.
During the third annual penguin suit fundraiser, students were asked to donate money into specific jars labeled with the names of history teacher Jessica Browner, Michael McAteer, American Law teacher Stephen Vehslage, Spanish teacher Katie Bakes and English teacher Hannah Magnun. Mr. McAteer, was the teacher whose jar collected the most money.
Catherine Leeber, Charity Link treasurer, said how the club went about choosing the teachers to take part in the fundraiser. “As a club we discussed teachers that people really like, who kids would want to see in a penguin costume and who would tolerate wearing a huge suit all day,” she said.
Ms. Brown added that being a teacher chosen for this fundraiser is a sign that they are popular with the students at the high school. “We chose teaches that kids in the group know and respect a lot,” she said. “It comes from a place of admiration.”
The club donated the $250 that was raised to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Senior Isabelle Schipper, who has been a member of Charity Link since her sophomore year, talked about how the ACS is one of their favorite organizations to donate to. “We like donating to the ACS because it doesn’t just focus on one type of cancer and we feel like we are helping a broader spectrum of people,” Isabelle said.
Sophomore Riley O’Neil enjoyed donating to the ACS and admired Charity Links fundraising creativity. “I think its a great school organization and I’m really happy I had the chance to give some money to the ACS, as well as get the chance to see Mr. McAteer in a penguin suit,” he said.
