Receiving the invitation to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference was quite unexpected. All six of us were overjoyed. We excitedly flipped through the pages of the invitation packet, but were suddenly disappointed at the sight of the tuition. $2,385 is a lot of money for one student. How could six 13 year olds raise a total of $14,310 in just six measly weeks?

Somehow, with the help of our teacher, Mr. Charles McKenzie, and the great support of our family and friends, we did it! This is our success story.

It all began with a meeting with Katherine Harris, our local Congresswoman. A journalist from one of our community newspapers was there, and she wrote a story about our quest in the next edition.

Next came our first carwash. We worked for five hours with the help of some of our friends and because it was such a success, we decided to do a second one.

Shortly thereafter, we were interviewed by a journalist from a much larger local newspaper. From this article, many local businesses started calling our school about donations.

Luckily, there was then a community yard sale in our neighborhood. We sold hot dogs, baked goods, and found out that items we no longer used could be sold to others for their future enjoyment. Also, during the yard sale and for some time afterward, we sold raffle tickets for a beautiful donated orchid.

After reading about us in the newspaper, a gentleman asked us to paint his fence. There were the six of us and two other helpers and it still took about six hours to do the job. It was worth it, because the man gave us a generous donation, and the fence looked new when it was done.

Just before we had to send in the money, Mr. McKenzie went on the radio. He talked about our reasons for needing to raise the tuition, and how much we still needed. That plea brought in several individual donations.

Finally, telephone calls to business partners of the school helped with further donations and ended with us selling hot dogs, waters, and "Nemo" dolls at a local outdoor film screening of "Finding Nemo".

Some money was made easily, other money we worked hard to raise, but if we had not worked as a team it would never have been possible. We also have to thank our parents, friends, and Mr. McKenzie, without whom this quest would have failed.

Download CYLC's "Guide to Fundraising via the News Media." (Adobe Acrobat Reader required.)