Thanks to PASC, “Keep It!” Reaches New Heights and Expands Its Challenge to “ACT LOCALLY, REACH GLOBALLY!”

While there is still much work to do, the efforts of our PASC partners and additional supporters are making a difference each and every day for the residents of Ivory Park. Read about the changes that have already taken place.

When the “Keep It!” Campaign was launched in September of 2009, our goal was to motivate young people to develop their capacity as social entrepreneurs. For the campaign’s inaugural project, young entrepreneurs were challenged to act locally and reach globally by helping to build a community of hope in Ivory Park, South Africa. Thanks to the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils, hope is alive and well in Ivory Park.

Backed by critical support from our member schools, “Keep It!” is drawing an ever increasing number of dedicated volunteers. Their efforts are resulting in steady progress toward the development of strong student leaders and the completion of project goals.

The dream is to build a community of hope in Ivory park. Helping us is a national network of social entrepreneurs led by the PASC.

To date, we have raised a little more than $20,000. These funds have allowed PASC to make a positive impact in Ivory Park, where U.S. dollars go a long way. A library has been built and the first round of books is already on the shelves. We have been able to fund the salaries of three full-time teachers for an entire calendar year. A fourth teacher’s salary has been covered by regular monthly contributions from a small group of PASC alums who have embraced the “Power of Ten” concept by contributing ten dollars a month.

In addition, construction of the community center kitchen has been completed. Much of the funding is in place, and our partners at First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville, TN, have pledged enough funds to cover the remaining kitchen costs.

Funds have also been directed to support feeding programs for the daycare center, soup kitchen, and an after-school program for teen orphans who, because of the AIDS crisis, are parenting their younger siblings. The program allows the teens to continue their education while their siblings are cared for at the daycare center. It also provides a hot meal, a tutor, and a place to study after school. Altogether, these programs now feed 150 preschool children, 60 senior citizens, and 75 teens.

Many of these projects have been funded, in large part, by contributions from Pennsylvania schools. At Governor Mifflin MS, students planned fundraising activities, and prepared blankets, friendship bracelets, and picture books for Ivory Park children. Student Council advisor Nancy Brady believes that involvement in the project has been a positive influence on students. “This December 18, almost a year to the day of our school-wide project for Ivory Park, the students of Governor Mifflin had the opportunity to see and hear about the difference they made miles away in a community in South Africa,” explains Brady. “The story of a three-week-old baby being welcomed and wrapped in a blanket made right here at our school touched every heart in the gym. And, the before and after pictures of the library and kitchen brought thunderous applause from the student body and staff. Knowing that they had made a significant impact in the lives of children and adults halfway across the globe was a wonderful way for our students and staff to start the holiday season.”

At North Allegheny HS, student council members planned a dodgeball tournament that raised more than $1,200 for the cause. In addition, NA students and PASC Assistant Executive Director, Kathy Coll, created a how-to manual that outlines plans for hosting a dodgeball tournament. The manual will be used by other schools as PASC promotes the tournament as a statewide project model that works.

In addition, students from Norwin HS donated proceeds from school dances. The Mars HS student council organized a dodgeball tournament. And, students from Union MS sponsored a movie day while Union staff members volunteered at a local pizza shop. At Oak Park Elementary School, students and staff are participating in creative seasonal fundraisers that will provide support all year long.

Along with these school-wide efforts, individual students at Riverside HS, North Penn HS, Athens Area MS, Elizabeth Forward HS, Hatboro Horsham HS, and Interboro HS, along with the Advanced Gold Workshop team organized personal fundraising campaigns and recruited additional supporters through Facebook.

As our sponsor and major supporter, the PASC – led by Executive Director Jim Finnemeyer, Assistant Executive Director, Kathy Coll, Treasurer Bill Sebastian, former State President Abby Case, and 2010 State President Jillian Roeske – has played a major role in getting the library built and in efforts to provide training and support to student leaders and their advisors. Coll traveled to Ivory Park to view community needs and to share the PASC’s commitment. She continues to coordinate all of our efforts with PASC. Sebastian has stepped up to be the treasurer for the project.

“PASC’s impact has been profoundly significant,” says “Keep It!” founder Bob Tryanski. “A new library has been built that didn’t exist a year ago. Teachers know they are going to receive a regular paycheck, and more children, teens and senior citizens are being fed on a daily basis because PASC member schools have embraced the idea of acting locally and reaching globally. I can’t wait to see what happens as student leaders turn their attention to expanding the reach of ‘Keep It!’ and, also, to address local causes and needs in their home communities.”
– PASC News, January 2011