Whiz Kids Raise Money for Endangered Animals

Six students at established a school-wide Animal Appreciation Day, raising over $500 for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to help protect endangered animals.

“These girls set an example for other students that you don’t have to be a grown up to make a difference,” said .

The fundraising idea came from a project in teacher Kristin Robertson’s third grade class. Robertson led her students in a unit on persuasive writing. The girls wrote about protecting endangered animals. During the assignment, the group decided to put their words into action.

Meghan Kincaid, Julia French, Sophia Stilla, Clara Buttiglieri, Cynthia Zhang and Jhaymie Tungol presented their letters to Becker, asking if they could hold an Animal Appreciation Day on April 5 to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund.

Together with Robertson and Becker, the girls came up with a plan that included making posters, distributing flyers and educating other students about the animals.

“Do you know there are only 50 Mexican wolves left in the entire world?” Julia asked. She and the other girls explained that animals like the snowy owl, ocelot, snow leopard, chinchilla and tazmanian devil all face extinction.

Leading up to April 5, the girls shared facts about the animals each day on the morning announcements. They suggested students and staff donate one dollar to WWF and celebrate Animal Appreciation Day by wearing animal themed clothes and bringing a favorite stuffed animal.

“Their efforts raised a grand total of $507.31,” Becker said. “They were such good examples for the other students that I now have some second graders who are interested in doing a similar project.”

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