Alliance of Students Against Poverty

UA ASAP Club Leading the Way

Recently, the Upper Arlington, Ohio High School ASAP Club hosted three successful fundraising events—an Ultimate Frisbee Tournament, a Rita’s Italian Ice sale and a door-to-door fundraiser.

In July, the UA ASAP Club invited members from their high school to participate in an Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. Three teams of seven people showed up to learn about ASAP, eat good food, play ultimate frisbee and donate to ASAP. Members of the club brought food to sell and a local bread store donated specialty breads for the event. A poster and flyers depicting brief descriptions of ASAP and contact info and collection jars were placed on a table to spread awareness. The event was enjoyable for all that attended, and by the end of the day, UA ASAP Club raised $91.

On August 31st, the UA ASAP Club organized a Rita's Italian Ice fundraiser during lunch periods at school. Rita's Italian Ice, a local favorite, agreed to sell the Italian ice for 50% off retail price, costing $.30 per serving. The club bought 300 servings of mango and strawberry flavors, sold each serving for $1 each and raised $210. In addition to raising these funds, they also raised awareness about extreme poverty and the work of ASAP through their ASAP posters and fliers.

On October 6th, UA ASAP and another student led, non-profit organization in Upper Arlington, Students for Stoves (SFS), participated in a door-to-door fundraiser within their community. The two groups split the donations, $535.50 of which was raised for ASAP. The fundraiser was also a means to pass out invitations to the ASAP/SFS Thanksgiving Benefit dinner November 9th and 10th.

The Upper Arlington ASAP Club began in May 2007 and has gotten off to an amazing start. According to Club President Megan Adams ASAP UA has three main goals:

“First, we believe we are responsible to raise awareness about poverty and microfinance. Secondly, our group hopes to raise money for Microfinance Institutions through fundraisers involving our school and community. Finally, we plan to enlist both students and adults to pledge $1 a day.”

More specifically, the members of the ASAP Club have committed to participate in meetings every other week; organize and run a bake sale and an additional fundraiser once a month; visit soup kitchens and other places where they can help the poor in Columbus, Ohio; listen to presentations on poverty; give presentations about ASAP to other schools and organizations and establish collection jars at local stores and restaurants.

Their goal is to raise $3,000 over the duration of the school year. So far they have raised over $1300. Currently, the UA ASAP Club has 126 members with 30 coming to meetings on a regular basis.