The fund-raiser for the March of Dimes was tackled by the high school Key Club.
By: Linda Seida
WEST AMWELL Students at South Hunterdon Regional High School raised almost $150 for the March of Dimes last week with their Blue Jeans for Babies campaign, according to teacher Jackie Kelly.
The fund-raiser is the latest in a long line of humanitarian projects tackled by the Key Club, which is comprised of students in mainly ninth through 12th grades, according to Ms. Kelly, who is the group’s moderator. In addition to the Blue Jeans for Babies campaign, her students have acted as escorts for the Special Olympics, participated in a breast cancer walk, collected toys at Christmas for families in need and held a bake sale for the Association for Retarded Children.
Blue Jeans for Babies was begun by the March of Dimes in 1993. By purchasing a specially designed button, students and teachers are donating money while buying for themselves the opportunity to wear jeans to school.
Even though the wearing of jeans is an everyday occurrence for students, they still participated and bought buttons as a way to contribute, according to Ms. Kelly. The dress-down day in jeans is more of a treat for teachers, she added. Students paid $1 per button, and teachers paid $5 per button.
"We have a real small school, only about 300 kids," Ms. Kelly said, noting the amount collected by her students represents a good amount for such a small student body.
"I think they’re great. I mean that sincerely. They’re more than willing" to help others, she said of her students.
The Blue Jeans for Babies campaign has been a good learning experiences for the teen-agers.
"It gives an idea of being part of a community, and they learn not everyone in the community is as fortunate as themselves," she said.
The March of Dimes is a global organization that works to prevent birth defects and infant mortality and improve infant health.