Local high schools in the Michigan Big 8 Conference raised more than $2,000 for The Make-A-Wish Foundation Michigan at a fundraiser during basketball games on Friday, Feb. 11.
According to Jonesville Community Schools Athletic Director Kathy Bondsteel, local schools suggested the idea at a Big 8 Conference meeting. The Big 8 Conference includes Jonesville, Springport, Bronson, Reading, Homer, Concord, Quincy, and Union City.
“Someone had brought up the fact that Make-A-Wish was having an issue with funding because of COVID,” Bondsteel said. “They were down a little bit and we came up with the plan to do a fundraiser Big 8 wide, one night to get donations for Make-A-Wish.”
Make-A-Wish is a nonprofit that helps fufill the final wishes of children with critical illness ages two-and-a-half to 18.
The Jonesville Comets sold T-shirts for Make-A-Wish. According to Bondsteel, students purchased the shirts for $10. Additionally, the Comets accepted donations at the door of their Friday night homecoming basketball game against Quincy High School.
Overall, Jonesville High School raised $706 dollars for Make-A-Wish according to Bondsteel. The money raised by all Big 8 Conference schools will be donated to Make-A-Wish Michigan.
Jonesville Community Schools have a personal connection to Michigan Make-A-Wish, Bondsteel said, as a Jonesville student received a wish several years ago. According to Make-A-Wish, a child’s wish is granted every 34 minutes in the United States.
“It’s great to teach kids about giving back and for them to learn that there’s always someone in need so it’s great to give back,” Bondsteel said.
On Hillsdale College’s campus, the Chi Omega sorority also supported Make-A-Wish through its annual pancake breakfast on Feb. 26.
“It was a great opportunity for all the girls in Chi Omega to work together and build community in our chapter and then give back to the community that we live in,” Community Service Chair and sophomore Mary Ann Powers said. “It was fun to see how many people from different parts of campus and the community showed up and felt good to be united in a great cause.”
