These students know a thing or two about building a strong community!
Last Fall, members of the Black Student Union at Impact Academy, our Hayward school, decided to address an issue about which they felt strongly -- and
they made a huge difference in the lives of other young people in the process. As students of color, they were bothered by the lack of diversity in the toys, books, dolls and games available from mainstream retailers. In response, they set a goal to improve the options available to one specific group of kids: those staying at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, Oakland (CHO). They knew they could give these children a little bit of joy during the holiday season, and they turned to their school community to help.
They gathered donations from teachers and students, as well as through a donation website; they spread the word with family and friends and used social media to widen the circle. Just before Christmas, they had collected over $800, as well as 5 bags full of new toys
from Impact Academy students, teachers and staff. The money they raised allowed them to buy all kinds of toys, books, and games featuring people and children of color.
In mid-December, the students headed to CHO to deliver the huge bin of gifts they had amassed. The hospital staff, thrilled with all of the diverse dolls and toys, filled their on-site store with Impact's donations, for parents and patients to choose gifts from for free. Thanks to our students, these families can now choose from a wide range of gifts that represent the diversity and richness of their communities.
Impact Academy''s Black Student Union is proud to be part of this important comfort system for Bay Area children and families. And we are proud of our Black Student Union!