A little change goes a long way
North Idaho STEM Charter Academy National Honor Society President Ryan Liu, accompanied by his Honor Society peers Thursday afternoon, presents a check for more than $3,000 to Family Promise of North Idaho Executive Director Cindy Wood.
DEVIN WEEKS/Press
RATHDRUM — A nickel, a penny, a quarter, a dime.
It all adds up.
In just one week, North Idaho STEM Charter Academy National Honor Society students rallied their peers to pool their pocket change and loose dollar bills into one generous donation of more than $3,000 to support Family Promise of North Idaho.
“We’re humbled and excited about the year to come because you’re starting us off great," Family Promise Executive Director Cindy Wood said to junior Ryan Liu, president of the North Idaho STEM National Honor Society, during a presentation at the school Thursday.
“I’m sure you guys will do great things with it,” Liu replied.
For several years, North Idaho STEM has conducted an annual coin drive to support local causes in the community. Honor Society students visit each classroom and conduct short presentations about the coin drive and that year's selected recipient. Students from kindergarten through 12th grade have opportunities to contribute. This year, one student even brought in a plastic bear that was filled with coins after it was emptied of its animal crackers.
This year's coin drive ended Nov. 9.
“I’m really proud of the work we did," Liu said. "I think everybody worked really hard in organizing the whole event and advertising it to our classes."
The funds will serve as a matching amount for Family Promise as it participates in the Avenues for Hope Challenge, a campaign to raise funds to help meet the community's housing needs.
Liu said Family Promise was chosen as the 2023 recipient because students wanted to do something to make a difference in their community.
"We thought globally, but we did locally," he said.
Family Promise is a nonprofit that helps families experiencing homelessness and those with low incomes achieve sustainable independence. Wood said the funds will help provide shelter for 14 families and prevent homelessness for 10 more families. She said she was astounded that after students researched all the causes in the area, they decided to support Family Promise.
“That’s even more humbling that this school community would look at us and say, ‘This is who we want to get behind,'" she said. "It’s beautiful."