This story is copied from KDRV Channel 12.
Community 101 students raised half of the money needed for the event before presenting their plans to the PTO, who matched their funds. From the decorations, to the grocery shopping, to the cooking, the students are doing everything themselves.
“That feeling of hope that’s created by an event like this really fits their mission statement," said Assistant Principal Jason Straube. "It’s been a lot of fun getting things planned.”
Community 101 is made up of a group of middle school students. The group was gifted a $5,000 grant to to focus on an issue in the local community. These students chose to focus on youth mental health.
Straube said students came up with the idea for this project at the beginning of the school year. He said students saw a need in the community for an event like this one. From the decorating, to the budgeting, to the cooking, the students did everything themselves.
“It’s putting all of that together and the project really becomes the driving force behind their learning," Straube said. "Getting their eyes off themselves and getting it out there to the community and serving others is truly impactful.”
The community is invited to attend the dinner tonight from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Applegate Valley Fire Department Community Center, located at 1095 Upper Applegate in Jacksonville.