By Maria Riegel, Special Writer
South Brunswick High School senior, Sam Haveson collaborated with Activities Coordinator Gina Welsh in raising $1,835 from the annual Giving Tree Fundraiser.
"I think we did really well especially since we did better than last year," Sam said.
According to Sam, the 2010 Giving Tree fundraiser raised $1,200 and his original goal for this year was to increase that amount to $1,500,
The 2011 Giving Tree exceeded that goal.
Sam said that the gift cards were given to 18 families in the district by the South Brunswick Social Services through the Adopt-A-Family program. That department determined the eligibility of the families according to Sam.
Initially, Sam said that she went to Ms. Welsh to begin a fundraiser for the art program, but she suggested that the fundraiser could be expanded to the whole school community.
"I was involved with the art program and wanted to do a toy drive," Sam said. "Ms. Welsh said to extend it to the whole school through gift cards. Gift cards are easy, inexpensive and accessible."
Sam said she has received positive remarks from the art department as well as from many other teachers and students in the school.
"Thus far, I’ve gotten a lot of feedback from the art department and Ms. Welsh was such a big help with the promotion," Sam said.
In addition, to Ms. Welsh’s advertisements, Sam said the Viking Television Network (VTN) made great commercials promoting the Giving Tree. Sam believes that the effective campaign commercials increased gift card donations.
According to Sam, last year there was only one tree in the high school annex entrance, but this year there were two trees; one in the main entrance and one in the annex entrance which helped increase the total of donations.
The majority of the gift cards came from Target according to Sam.
"We had a really, really big donation from Target," Sam said. "I think it’s primarily because you can get everything you want from Target."
Another trend Sam and Ms. Welsh both noticed was that students would also donate bundles of gift cards, handing in two or three at a time from different stores.
Overall, Sam said that she felt the Giving Tree was very successful and she hopes Ms. Welsh continues the tradition after she graduates this year.
Sam said that because the amount raised this year was more than the goal of $1,500, the standard is set for $2,000 next year.
She said that she is extremely appreciative of all of the students that contributed to the Giving Tree, and that she sent out thank-you notes to all of the students that donated.
"I’m really appreciative that the school did such a great job," Sam said.

