On Feb. 10, NHS held a red-out at the varsity boys’ basketball game to raise money for the American Heart Association (AHA). NHS members sold T-shirts for $10 and rubber ducks for their “chuck-a-duck” contest for $1. Overall, the club raised $444 from their sale efforts.
The night’s sea of red was able to cheer their team on from the bleachers, as well. The boys had a successful game, having won with a score of 73-54, and the team’s victory had added to the crowd’s excitement of the night.
At halftime, everyone who had bought one of the ducks that the NHS members sold participated in their “chuck-a-duck” competition to see who could throw their duck the farthest from the same starting point. The winner, who won a $25 Visa gift card, was Jersee Melvin.
In past years, the NHS has put together a Relay For Life to support the American Cancer Society. This year was the first in several years that they haven’t held the event. However, this was not the first fundraiser they had done for the AHA and they currently hope to do a Relay next year.
“We did not do a Relay this year because the NHS members were very burnt out from all of the work and planning that we did last year. We felt like the students and community of FHS wanted a break from hearing about the Relay,” KC Hastings, co-sponsor of the NHS, said.
Donating to the AHA helps to support their work for both heart disease and strokes. On their website, their three main causes you can look into are “Power to End Stroke,” “Go Red for Women” and “Go Red Por Tu Corazón,” which is aimed to help prevent heart disease in Hispanic women.
“When you donate to the American Heart Association, you are joining us in the fight against our nation’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers – heart disease and strokes. Your donation will support such life-saving efforts as research, education, advocating for better health, improving patient care and reaching populations at risk. In short, you are helping save lives,” the AHA explained about the benefits of donating to their organization on their website.
According to Hastings, the NHS is planning a food drive to support the community and a penny drive for Leukemia Lymphoma Society. They also plan to work with the SADD club and PAC on a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.