Adam Robinson and his classmates of Northbrook Jr. High get the ball rolling to raise money for The Rory David Deutsch Foundation by selling Rory wirstbands as well as raising awareness for The Foundation.

Rory’s Graduating Class Makes Final Funding Thrust

Elm Place Middle School’s eighth grade class is making the most of the last opportunity it will have, as a group, to honor a classmate. Rory David Deutsch would have been a member of this class and graduated this spring. For the past year, the class has conducted a number of successful fundraisers on behalf of The Foundation that bears his name.

After sponsoring a fun-filled and successful Halloween dance last fall, the students decided to sponsor another dance for Valentine’s Day. Music was provided, free of charge, by an eighth grade DJ. Pizza was provided by Buffo’s and drinks were supplied by Sunset Foods. The event raised $2,500 for The Foundation.

Their biggest fund-raising event is yet to come: an auction planned for May 20, 2005 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Elm Place School in Highland Park. Right now, students are in the process of contacting celebrities for auction items. Through letters and e-mail, they are explaining The Rory David Deutsch Foundation’s mission and their fundraising goals. Up to now, they have collected several pieces of autographed sports memorabilia and Hollywood keepsakes, including a Robert DeNiro autograph. The students are also contacting local businesses for donations, and have already received a number of certificates for gifts and services from stores and restaurants.

As with all of their fundraising, eighth grade teacher, John Whitehead, is overseeing the activity. He stresses the students’ enthusiasm for doing most of the work. “They are all excited about being involved with this last big bash for Rory,” Whitehead said. “They are learning that eighth grade can be about something. We have lots of participation, and of course, the Highland Park community is responding to our efforts.”