In times of unexpected circumstances and fickle regulations, it is the contributions of service-oriented people, like Jessica Moore, that make each coming day worthwhile. Due to the COVID-19 guidelines, the annual CSO Make-A-Wish fundraiser was originally cancelled, but 12th-grade basketball player Jessica Moore, with the help of Coach Retif, designed a proposal to adapt the fundraiser to meet COVID guidelines.
The Make-A-Wish foundation is a charity that started in the 1980s in Arizona. The organization quickly spread across the country. The Make-A-Wish foundation collects monetary donations and assists children with critical illnesses, in efforts to make the life-changing wishes of these children come true. The charity completely covers the cost for fulfilling these wishes– like a dream vacation trip– so that the financial aspect of the wish is completely relieved from the child’s family.
This past November, Jess and Coach Retif sent a proposal to Dr. Torrey and Dr. MacKean, complete with all of the details and safety precautions for the event. Unlike previous years, this plan proposed a free throw tournament, instead of the usual weekend-long series of games between GA and other schools in the Inter-Ac. Each day for a week in mid-December, a certain number of basketball players would take consecutive free throw shots for 2 minutes. The participants would purchase a pledge sheet for $5, and they would ask family members, neighbors, and other students to donate money on their behalf by writing a dollar amount that would be donated for each shot made. Each time the player makes a shot within the 2 minutes, the donor would pay the given amount of pledged money per shot.
Jess estimates that up to 40 players could take turns each lunch period in the Big Gym or Annex with the help of CSO’s supervision to keep track of shots. Unfortunately, there are a few downsides to the plan that would have been unrealistic considering safety guidelines. In past years, the CSO held a concession stand and sold Ad books (where local businesses could purchase ads), all of which contributed greatly to the donations. The biggest downside to the plan is that no spectators would be allowed to watch due to social distancing rules; however, Jess believes that the event could still be a success with great participation from basketball players and donors. She believes, “Money wise, it would not be as successful as other years, but the fact that we can even have such a fundraiser during these unprecedented times is exciting! Participation-wise- I believe it would be a success.” Jess is pleased to announce that her proposal was accepted, and she is excited to prepare for the event.
However, recently GA announced that the Upper School would continue virtual GA until January 11th, preventing the new Make-A-Wish plans from taking place in December. Jess still wants to hold the fundraiser though, and she hopes for the event to occur in either late January or February 2021. Pending COVID statistics in the Montgomery County area for early 2021, Jess is certain that CSO will eventually hold a COVID-friendly fundraiser that supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She is grateful for the extra time she now has to plan , and now wants to include faculty as free throwing participants.
Especially with the new restrictions, it’s more important this year to contribute as much as possible to the Make-A-Wish charity fundraiser. Jess and the CSO encourage everyone in the community to donate to this great cause. Who says we can’t break previous GA donation records even in a pandemic?
