Service has been a part of Onaway fourth grader Zara Jackson’s life since she joined her first Daisy troop in Washington, DC. “She delivered food to home-bound seniors when their checks ran out at the end of the month,” her mother, Ricia Weiner, explains. “The girls would get the food, bag it and then break up into groups and deliver the food. It was really pretty incredible.” When her family moved to Shaker Heights two years ago, Zara and her parents continued to make helping others a priority. This past June, Zara’s Girl Scout troop visited The Gathering Place, a nonprofit organization that provides free services to individuals and families coping with cancer. During the visit, Zara noticed a wall populated with people’s names. She learned that the wall represented donors who had given $5,000 or more to The Gathering Place---ever since, Zara has been on a mission to raise at least that much and to add her name to the wall of donors. When she does, she’ll also earn the distinction of being the youngest $5,000 donor to The Gathering Place.
What is it that you liked about The Gathering Place when you visited? I liked their programs for kids. They had toys that they used to represent things so that kids could share how they were feeling. I liked that. And their programs are free, so anyone can go there.
How much money have you raised so far? So far, I’ve raised about $1,200. We’ve hosted two movie nights at our house and I sold some old toys. My mom is a spin instructor and she might do a spin class for The Gathering Place. And my dad plays drums in a band called Six Sometimes Seven and they might have a benefit concert. When I raise $5,000 then I’ll get my name on the wall and a jewel that represents what I’ve given.
If you had to pick two IB learner attributes you think you’re demonstrating, what would they be? I think ‘caring’ because I want to help the people at The Gathering Place. I really want to help by donating. And I think ‘open minded’ because when I visited, there were a lot of patients there and they were talking to me about The Gathering Place and the programs that they offer.
Your goal is to raise the money by June. What are you going to do if you hit $5,000 before then? If I get to $5,000 before June, then I’ll donate the money and find a new place to help. If it takes longer, then I’ll just keep working on it until I hit $5,000.