Emily Greene
News Editor
Tree Huggers United is saving the rainforest, one fundraiser at a time. On Friday, December 4th, they hosted the THUG dance party at the Outback Teen Center from 7:30-10:30pm. Tickets were sold all week during lunch for $10 dollars Monday-Thursday and for $15 dollars on Friday. Students were required to dress in “thug” attire for the themed event.
Co-founders and presidents, seniors Dolly Meckler and Grace Gummeson, plan to donate all the money they have collected over the past four years to the Rainforest Alliance Foundation at the end of the year. “We decided we wanted to help protect the Brazilian Rain Forest. [Rainforest Alliance] allows you to pick from an array of South American Rain Forests and Brazil was a choice,” Grace said.
Grace further explained the reason for targeting Brazil’s rain forests. “Most of the world’s rain forests are located in Brazil so it will make the most impact,” she said. “It appeals to us that there are many ecological regions there like marshes, rivers, and plains. We think that not only the rain forests, but [other ecological regions]should be protected.”
Dolly calculated that since the start of Tree Huggers United her freshman year, the club has raised around $1,600, with more coming this year through fundraisers. “This dance will really help us out,” Dolly said. “We’re going to raise a lot of money.”
In addition to the THUG dance, Tree Huggers United is planning on hosting the first ever “Sundae Sale.” Next week during the lunch block, you can make your own ice cream sundae for a cost of $3.
Dolly explained the motivation to create unique fundraiser ideas. “The issue of our environment and global warming is at times controversial, and not always at the top of peoples’ lists to support, which is why we are trying to come up with new and fun ways to raise money like the Sundae Sales and Outback dances,” she said.
