CAROL STREAM ROTARYGRANTS SUPPORT TOAFRICA PROJECT

     Over the past three years, CHS students have raised funds to build an elementary school in the war-torn nation of Angola and have collected supplies to send to students at the school. Jessica Jones, of Carol Stream, is a member of the Community Leadership class that spearheads the WeGo 2 Africa program. Jones remarked, “This grant means a lot to the Community Leadership class and the whole WeGo 2 Africa program. Knowing that we have the support of our community only makes us want to work harder to achieve our goals. Working on this project has helped us strengthen our leadership skills and realize the impact we can have on the world.”

     District #94 school board president Tony Reyes echoed Jones’ comments. “The Board of Education is proud of Ms. Daneels and her WeGo 2 Africa student volunteers.  The Carol Stream Rotary Club donation of $2,000 is very generous and greatly appreciated.  The entire community benefits from this donation that supports the positive impact our staff and students make as they reach out to a sister school in Africa.”

     “This grant represents a lot of what we are trying to do with the WeGo 2 Africa program,” stated Mary Ellen Daneels, the instructor of the Community Leadership class. “We are helping students in Angola, but we are also helping Community High School students connect with their own community. I believe that citizenship is a habit that needs to be practiced and developed. If we want students to take responsibility and address issues in society, we need to connect them with the skills and groups that can help them impact their world.”

     "The Carol Stream Rotary Club created the Carol Stream Cares project to support student efforts in volunteerism” explains Rotary Director Jane Hodgkinson. “This project was suggested by Bob McNees and Deb Haude. It is our belief that students who are encouraged to volunteer when they are young will grow into responsible, caring adults. The WeGo 2 Africa project was deemed the best project that we reviewed this year. It exemplified social consciousness, volunteerism, teamwork, task completion, and social relevance. Students could participate in the project on many different levels and learned about the culture of another country. We congratulate the WeGo 2 Africa team for the benefits to Angola as well as the students at the high school.  Our Carol Stream Rotary Club would like to continue to be involved in this project in the future."

     The CHS International Club also presented a check for $700 to the WeGo 2 Africa project at the Board of Education meeting. The International Club, led by Spanish teacher Sarah Bellis, organized a bowl-a-thon to raise money for the project. “I am so proud that our members came together and raised so much money for a cause that has been so important to our school community.” 

     From May 12 through the 30th, students at the school will be collecting school supplies, shoes, clothing, playground equipment and medical supplies in order to pack a shipping container that will be sent to Angola in early June. Donations are welcome and can be dropped off at the school during normal school hours. Weekend drop off dates are Saturday, May 17 from 12-4 p.m., Saturday, May 24th from 8 a.m. to noon and Friday, May 30, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the south lot of the school which is located at 326 Joliet in West Chicago. Please contact Mary Ellen Daneels at (630) 876-6453 or mdaneels@d94.org for more information.