When the Sageland MicroSociety executive board heard about the fire that severely damaged a fellow student’s home, they knew they had to collaborate and help.
The student board members, along with the presidents of the ventures and agencies in the MicroSociety, took it upon themselves to brainstorm ideas to assist the student and family. A fire had raged through the family’s home on Jan. 16. No one was hurt in the fire, but the house endured severe damage which will take a large sum of money and time to repair.
“We felt really bad and we wanted to help him,” said Brian Aguilar, president of the Sageland MicroSociety’s Executive Board.
The student leaders quickly assembled and decided on hosting a fundraiser for the family. The executive board and presidents divided themselves up and assumed responsibility to get the word out. There was a unique announcement over the intercom every morning, posters plastered around campus and fliers went home encouraging students to participate in such a worthy event.
“I’m amazed by all the Scotties who put their hearts into the project. They really showed that they cared,” said Isabelle Garcia, sergeant-at-arms of the Sageland MicroSociety Executive Board.
The Heart Project, which was just one of the many that the Sageland Scotties organize throughout the school year, was a great success. The school had generated $1,425 by Jan. 27.
And the fundraising continues. The board members’ project “went global” as the school’s Micro coordinator Cristina Castanares-Sanchez described. She said one student told his mother, a vice president at First National Bank, about the fundraising for the family. His mom encouraged him to send an email to First National Bank employees explaining the situation, which garnered hundreds of dollars more in donations.
“I was really surprised at how much we could help our fellow Scottie,” said Natalia Martinez, treasurer of the Sageland MicroSociety Executive Board.
In addition, the Sageland faculty and staff are planning a cupcake sale and other events to raise money for the family. Students and faculty and staff also spent a weekend at the house helping with the cleanup.
"It's difficult to express...it's so heartwarming."said Maly Portillo, mother of the Sageland student. "The most surprising part of this whole ordeal is how at first I felt so alone in this but there are people here for us, they actually care."
Ysleta High School is also helping the family because the mother is a teacher at the high school. A GECU account was opened to collect donations for the family. Please deposit donations to the GECU account number, 568931.
The Ysleta High School student council is also planning to help paint and weatherize the house.
Treasurer Natalia Martinez counts the money raised in The Heart Project