GBN, GBS plan fundraising week

Proceeds go to Hurricane Ida relief

Students+throw+colorful+powder+in+the+stands+of+the+football+stadium%2C+turning+the+white-out+student+section+into+a+blend+of+colors+at+the+kickoff+of+the+GBN+v.+GBS+football+game+on+Oct+15.+Fundraising+events+throughout+the+week+leading+up+to+and+at+the+game+went+towards+Hurricane+Ida+relief.+Photo+by+Alicia+Amsel

Students throw colorful powder in the stands of the football stadium, turning the white-out student section into a blend of colors at the kickoff of the GBN v. GBS football game on Oct 15. Fundraising events throughout the week leading up to and at the game went towards Hurricane Ida relief. Photo by Alicia Amsel

Weaving between students covered head to toe in colorful powder at the Glenbrook North v. Glenbrook South football game, senior Samantha Kaminsky shouted “Donations!” to the crowd. Between the first two quarters, Kaminsky and others ran up and down the bleachers with buckets to collect money for Hurricane Ida relief.

“I think that it is important to [fundraise] and bring the school together to help other people in need,” said Kaminsky. “Overall, I had a great time, and I think we did make a change.”

GBN and GBS students planned Gold Rush: The Glenbrooks Give Back, an initiative through which both schools collectively raised just under $5,000 for hurricane relief from Oct. 12 to Oct. 15.

The money is to be donated to the Cajun Navy, a non-profit organization based in New Orleans that aims to aid those suffering from natural disasters.

According to Michael Tarjan, assistant principal for student activities, he is thankful to those who were able to donate.

“Any donations in situations like this are welcome, no matter how small or how big,” said Tarjan. “It’s always good to give to others.”

To fundraise, raffles were held throughout the week with prizes including coupons for local restaurants, a week-long designated parking pass and a Spartan of the Week announcement at the homecoming assembly on Oct. 22. Students ran through GBN halls collecting money in the Gold Blitz on Oct. 14. Another Gold Blitz took place at the football game on Oct. 15. Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Mario’s Pizza, Cheesie’s and La Taquiza donated a percentage of their proceeds from the week to the cause.

Students from both schools met on Sept. 28 by video conference and Sept. 30 at GBN to discuss ideas and plan together. Each school assigned student committees to different fundraising activities.

According to Tarjan, Kaminsky originally brought up the idea to fundraise for hurricane relief.

Kaminsky was inspired by a conversation in her Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics class about resources GBN provided to communities affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She emailed Principal Markey, who referred her to Tarjan, Kaminsky said.

A pep rally in which groups from both schools performed and students participated in games took place before the football game on Oct. 15. During halftime, GBN and GBS varsity poms danced together, and a student from each school raced across the football field in a colored morph suit.

According to Tarjan, he reached out to Mark Maranto, GBS assistant principal for student activities, for the fundraiser.

“I thought this would be a great opportunity for us to take a moment and step away from all of our stressors, and know that we can come together as a community to help another community that’s in much worse circumstances,” Tarjan said.

According to Kaminsky, she enjoyed getting the community excited to fundraise.

“I’m hoping that people will start to realize that we can give back,” said Kaminsky. “We’re very fortunate to live in Northbrook … and I feel like if you’re very fortunate you should give back to other people.”