Highland Park High Charity Drive Provides…
A Lesson In Giving And Getting Something Back

Someone once said, “It is better to give than to receive.” But, each year, the Highland Park Charity Drive seems to prove you can give and also receive, which may be the best of both worlds. During this major school event, which lasts more than a month, students select one charity for the focus of many diverse fundraising activities. The Rory David Deutsch Foundation was fortunate to be selected for the 2003 charity drive.

Students organize various fundraising activities that take place before, during, and after school. These events include a dance, silent auction, and bazaar, as well as food fests and “shop and share” opportunities. Students, parents, faculty, local businesses, and the entire community come together. A multitude of time, effort, energy, and needed funds are donated. But it is evident that more than giving occurs. Spirit infuses the school and the entire community. Smiles and high fives abound. There is a little more laughter, hearts seem lighter, and footsteps livelier. And, it is apparent that during this charity drive, there is an abundance of giving and “getting back”.

Being Selected
The process for selecting the charity for the year is both elaborate and democratic, according to Katie Hinden, co-president of the Highland Park Student Senate, which sponsors the drive. “In the beginning of the year,” explained Katie, “several charities apply to the school. In order to be considered, they must meet three criteria: the charity must be relatively small so the money collected makes a difference, it must involve children, and the charity must have local connections.

“We start with as many as sixteen candidates. The student senate executive board and the heads of the 2003 charity drive committee, Lisie Mehlan, Michael Lazar, and David Rosenberg, then study the charities and narrow the candidates down to six. The executive board, including senate faculty sponsors, then spends a week interviewing the six candidates in order to narrow the list to three. Finally, the student body votes and selects one. It is often a tough decision.”

Why was The Rory David Deutsch Foundation the beneficiary in 2003 drive? Katie noted that one factor may have been the close connection to the Highland Park community. “Many of our students could relate to the fact that Rory went to Indian Trail as they did,” she explained. “Mr. Deutsch coaches sophomore basketball and Marc Samsky, who goes to our school, is Rory’s cousin.”

Marc spoke at the charity drive opening ceremony along with Ross Deutsch, Rory’s father. “It was something I wanted to do,” Marc said. “Rory was fun, nice, caring, smart…he was amazing! When we told Rory’s story at the assembly, I think a lot of kids were very moved.”

Success Through The Eyes of Five
If success is measured by funds generated, then the event was one of the most successful ever for the school. $88,000 was collected to help fund research focused on pediatric brain tumors. Everyone involved is proud of the amount collected as money for research is so needed. But it is clear, after talking to many participants, that success in February and March took on many different forms.

John Lorenz -- Principal of Highland Park High noted that his eye is never on the dollar amount. “To me, it is about the spirit generated and the engagement of our kids in something so worthwhile,” he said. “I know that some of our students want to do better than the previous year. This year, in particular, some students in a leadership position had tough economic conditions and the world situation working against them, but they were amazing, rose to the occasion, and got the job done.”

“This year was also very special because I have so many connections to the Deutsch family. For me, it was particularly enjoyable to watch the event unfold and see such positive results.”

Mary Gorleski -- faculty sponsor of the Student Senate along with her husband and health teacher, John, pointed out that, “the unity was amazing. It is a great time to be in school because kids are working and pulling together. This is giving back to the community in whatever way you can. It is all about giving back and understanding how you can help people in your own way.”

Clearly, the giving during the Charity Drive was exceptional. No wonder so many received so much in return.