Pictured from left, Matthew Lozano, Van Avery Prep Commissioner of Student Outreach; Madison Carver, Student Council Vice President; Lori Schulenburg, Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley Board of Directors Treasurer; Tammy Marine, Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley Executive Director; Tyler Jeide, Student Council President; and Estella Cline, Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley Board of Directors President.
School’s Youth Activist Club donates $2,000 to Habitat for Humanity Relief Fund
TEMECULA — On April 25, the worst natural disaster since 1934 struck Nepal. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the district of Lamjung, killing more than 8,000 people and injuring 23,000 more. As a result of the devastation, hundreds of thousands of people were displaced as entire villages were flattened by the tremor. Making matters worse, a 7.3 magnitude aftershock struck the same area on May 12, killing 117 people and injuring 2,500.
Immediately, Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley began efforts to raise money locally to contribute to Habitat for Humanity International’s relief efforts in the country with which the organization has a long history.
It was that call to action that inspired the Youth Activist Club at Van Avery Prep in Temecula to take action. The students, ranging in age from 11 to 14 years, initiated a fundraising bake sale on campus on Thursday, May 7th in order to raise money to help the victims of the Nepal earthquake.
“Youth Activists made signs and promoted the bake sale. Their slogan was “A SWEET way to help others,” said Van Avery Prep Administrator Tina Naber. “Student volunteers brought their home baked items to school and the Youth Activist Club held a bake sale selling treats to all students during lunch and after school. Cupcakes, cookies, brownies and gluten-free desserts were for sale as well. Over $1,900 was sold and VAP chipped in the rest to round up our donation to $2,000.”
“For almost 20 years, Van Avery Prep has been supporting Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley on local and global projects but also in the area of disaster relief. To date, they have raised funds for building in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, the tornadoes of Joplin, MO and in the impoverished country of Nepal,” said Tammy Marine, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.
Van Avery Prep Owner, Christine McCusker, served on the Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley Board of Directors for many years helping lay the foundation for the many programs and services currently offered by the affiliate. The relationship with Van Avery Prep has been a special one and incredibly vital in helping support efforts all over the world.
“Obviously, developing countries have a difficult time raising funds. Our Habitat for Humanity U.S. affiliates provide support for global initiatives.” Marine said. “Because Habitat is so credible and has such a positive history in responding to these disasters, local donors and businesses know that when their money is invested in us, it is going to the right things abroad and I am incredibly proud of that.”
Van Avery Prep has included philanthropy into their curriculum, infusing a sense of community responsibility into their students’ mindset to become a learning experience. “As stated in our Mission Statement at Van Avery Prep,” Naber said. “It is important that we develop in our students a love for their community and to become moral and productive citizens.”
“While our affiliate will always focus on local efforts, we remain committed to the broader, global picture of Habitat for Humanity,” Marine said. “We honor the support, resources and individuals who understand the breadth of what we do. Those efforts raise the awareness of the need for affordable housing all over the globe and provide us the wherewithal to make an impact. That’s really important.”
Habitat workers are currently on the ground helping those impacted by the Nepal earthquakes, removing rubble and debris with a goal of helping 20,000 families with transitional and permanent shelter assistance. If you or your organization would like to contribute to the relief efforts in Nepal, please contact Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley directly at (951) 296-3362 or visit www.habitativ.org/rebuildnepal to make a donation.
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About Van Avery Prep
Van Avery Prep is a fully accredited private preparatory school located in Temecula. We provide an advanced curriculum meeting the needs of every student grades Kindergarten through 8th. All our teachers are University graduates, dedicated to our philosophy of providing the best programs and environment to achieve excellence in education, fostering independence and promoting leadership qualities in every student. With a strong foundation in the core subjects, we also teach a second language at all grade levels. We offer an extensive athletic program, expose every student to the fine arts and encourage social interaction through a wide variety of clubs.
About Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley
The Mission of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley is to facilitate the dream of homeownership as well as improve the living conditions for those in the community. With volunteers, sponsors and business partners, Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley builds and rehabilitates homes in the cities of Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore and Perris. Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley also owns and operates two ReStore home improvement discount stores located in Temecula and Lake Elsinore. The Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley headquarters is located at 41615 Winchester Road, #214, Temecula, CA 92590. Call (951) 296-3362 or visit www.HabitatIV.org for more information.
Interviews Available: To arrange an interview with Tammy Marine of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley in regards to the Nepal Relief Effort or any of the services Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley provides to the community, contact Jeff Pack at 951-704-9710.
