Bake Sale for Miracles
GYSD contest winner (Lina, Bulgaria)
Phrases like, “No one has ever become poor by giving” are cliches for a reason. Humans repeat phrases that they believe are worth hearing. So today, on Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), I choose to impulsively become one of those people. Because giving, as oxymoronically as it sounds, enriches you. And that is something I was able to find out because of the social engagement I had as an exchange student in America.
I have a story for every single time I went volunteering. But today, I will tell you about GYSD, and how the project I did increased my faith in myself tremendously, and, hopefully, helped numerous families across the world.
My chronicle begins with a former Palestinian exchange student, who was hosted at my American high school. We followed each other on social media, and lately, she was posting a lot of information about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. One time, I messaged her (genuinely concerned about her), and after everything she told me about the conditions in her home, I couldn’t stay indifferent.
It took me a while to figure out what the best way to help would be. I searched for information on the web and also contacted other Palestinian exchange students. What I found out sounded rather simple: I had to spread awareness and raise money. Hooray, good news: I knew exactly how to achieve both!
Giving, as oxymoronically as it sounds, enriches you. And that is something I was able to find out because of the social engagement I had as an exchange student in America.
Now, considering the fact that I am 16 and only have a vague idea of how charity organizations work here, I needed an adult. That was when I contacted my lovely local coordinator, Jennifer DeHoff. She has helped for this project to happen more than anybody else. “Jenn, I want to do a fundraiser!” were my first words. I briefly explained the idea, and she was eager to help (as always). We discussed everything that needed to be done, and after a 20-minute call, it seemed like we had an outstanding plan.
The next day, I went to talk to the school principal. After I shared my intentions, he re-directed me to another person. I told him that I wanted to organize a charity bake sale during lunch and that the money will go to refugee camps in the Middle East through a United Nations fund. Here, a lot of adversities appeared. I needed adults responsible for everything I did, and we couldn’t sell homemade baked goods, which meant that the project needed to be adjusted. However, with the help of both my supportive coordinator and my German teacher I was able to keep going on.
I knew that the fundraiser needed to be advertised, and that although I will raise money and help refugees through the bake sale, that alone would not succeed in spreading awareness and educating my classmates about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. So, that was the next step. I did a quick informative presentation and held it in front of all of my classes. Here, I should mention the people who helped with everything: my fellow exchange students. I am lucky enough to have 16 other international peers in my school. So, with their unconditional support, the presentation was given 25 times in total! That was simply incredible and served as a huge motivation for the rest of the project.
Now, after I had already done the flyers and advertised the project, I had to buy the food we were selling. I went to the store with Jenn, my coordinator, and she used money that had been already raised for exchange student expenses (I returned the money after the bake sale). We bought a variety of sweets and headed home, where I packed them.
All of the stress that came from school regulations, sending emails, and talking to numerous people in the administrative staff was worth it. And that is a feeling I will never forget.
The organization process took about a week. On Thursday, we were ready to sell. And here, my exchange friends didn’t let me down. We were selling cooperatively the whole time, and with their help, we covered not only one, but all three lunch periods. But my friends weren’t only there as sales ladies and gentlemen. They were the biggest emotional support I could have ever asked for. I was so anxious that we would not sell anything and that we will not raise enough money. Without the constant reminders that I am doing great and everything is under control, it would have been a lot harder for me to manage the fast pace of the event. But it was beyond worth it. We sold everything! The sale was so successful that we did it the next day, too. Together we were able to raise about 500 dollars. The cause, helping refugee families across the ocean, was soon known by everyone.
I could talk about the ecstatic energy in the air for ages. Everyone was happy to donate money by buying cookies and cupcakes. The teachers in my school were encouraging students to contribute to the charity, and I felt like all of the stress that came from school regulations, sending emails, and talking to numerous people in the administrative staff was worth it. And that is a feeling I will never forget.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to express my altruism and give back to the world. The phrase “By buying this, you’re supporting refugees fighting for a better life” has been stuck in my brain for over a week now, and every time I think about it, I smile, knowing that life is so much more than just ensuring my own future. I was blessed to be born having, and if the enchantment lasts forever, I will live giving.
—Lina (YES, Bulgaria), hosted by the Nibarger family (IN)
I was blessed to be born having, and if the enchantment lasts forever, I will live giving.
