Through their online fundraiser and school event, Cardijn College in South Australia raised over $2,700 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF)!
It all started before Book Week when Inclusive Educator, Gemma, was researching charities that align with their school’s views.
“We chose the ILF because we highly value the work the Foundation does and think it is important for students in remote Communities to read books about their culture, including in First Languages, that are published by Indigenous authors”, says Gemma.
This year, their fundraiser was composed of four different ideas.
The teachers created a series of Book Week videos where staff members dressed up as characters from different books, like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Students then guessed who the teachers were behind the costume, making a donation in the process!
Next, students packed lolly bags with lollies donated by Big W, Coles and JB Metro, all local businesses. They then sold them to other students throughout the school.
The staff even held a talent show where teachers sang karaoke songs. Finally, Cardijn held an auction with donated gifts and vouchers from local businesses.
"What we got out of fundraising was a school-wide understanding, awareness and appreciation of the ILF and what they do,” said Gemma.
Over the course of this fundraiser, the students became more appreciative of the literacy opportunities they have. They also took pride in knowing that their fundraising efforts contribute to ILF’s three core programs, Book Supply, Book Buzz, and Community Publishing Projects.
The team at Cardijn are already planning their fundraising events for next year.
Thank you to all the students, staff, and businesses who supported these incredible events. This donation represents the gifting of hundreds of books to children in remote Communities, and the publication of books in First Languages by and for First Nations Communities.
If you would like to learn how your school can create a fundraiser like this one, visit our Fundraising Hub.