Fox Chapel Area schools break fundraising record for charity
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The Fox Chapel Area School District has set an all-time annual fundraising record for a local charity.
Students helped raise more than $107,000 during a monthlong districtwide campaign that culminated in a livestreamed telethon Dec. 23.
Over the past 32 years, the district has raised more than $1 million for local and regional charities. This year, the beneficiary is Fox Families Care, which supports families in need within the district.
The three-hour telethon was streamed via YouTube and produced by students from the high school’s digital media production department and student government.
The broadcast included students from all six schools: Fairview, Hartwood, Kerr and O’Hara elementaries; Dorseyville Middle School; and Fox Chapel Area High School.
Fox Families Care (FFC) was founded in 2019 by school district parents “out of a significant need at the school district level to provide more resources for youth and families than limited budgets would allow,” as described on its website.
Examples of requested items for students in the district include computers, eyeglasses, clothing, shoes, bedding, backpacks, school supplies and retail gift cards.
The annual Angel Tree Initiative granted holiday gifts to 174 students. In addition, a coat drive coordinated donations of more than 500 winter coats to families.
Summer scholarships to camps, trade schools and colleges also are available.
In 2021, FFC partnered with the high school to offer 350 incoming freshmen a two-day orientation experience that included team building at Camp Guyasuta.
This year, all donations were matched 3 to 1, up to $10,000. For example, every $1 donated became $4.
Donations were matched this year by Jennmar, the Cleveland Family Foundation and Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale.
Jimmy Hanna, a junior at Fox Chapel Area High school, handles sales for The Foxes Den, the high school apparel and spirit wear store. He helped design and sell T-shirts on campus and online, with proceeds benefiting the telethon.
“I was proud to represent my class and support a great cause with a check for $500,” Hanna said.
Second Harvest Community Thrift Store in Sharpsburg donated $10,000, thanks to a grant from the Patsy Grable Burke Memorial.
The last time the telethon raised a record-breaking amount was in 2016, with more than $71,000 raised.
Last year’s telethon raised more than $16,400 for the Sharpsburg Community Library.
A link to the broadcast is available at fcasd.edu.