Most high school students put off required projects until the last possible moment. They meander their way through it, complaining along the way. Fairfield Area High School student Lyndsey Poulson is not like most high school students.
In Pennsylvania, it is required that each graduating senior complete a project that demonstrates their ability to problem-solve, research and evaluate information, understand the information and effectively communicate that understanding. For some students, community service will fulfill this requirement; Fairfield students must complete an entire service project.
After volunteering at an event to benefit The RAACE Foundation, Lyndsey knew her service project would involve their cause.
The mother of one of my good friends volunteered with The RAACE Foundation and she got me involved with it. I volunteered last year and when it came time to decide on a project, I thought of The RAACE Foundation. Its a great organization and I hope my project will help them educate more people about how horrible child sexual abuse is, said Lyndsey.
For her project, Lyndsey decided to organize a silent auction with all proceeds going to The RAACE Foundations RAACE to Raise $2,000,000 fundraising campaign. She has been working hard, with guidance from The RAACE Foundation, putting in the long hours of work coordinating such an endeavor requires. Lyndsey points out though, that shes had lots of help from her school letting her have auction items delivered to the school and allowing her to use the gym for the auction free of charge and her parents. Some of her friends, as well as RAACE Foundation Programs and Services Director Vickie Brooks will also be around on the day of the auction to lend a hand.
So much money goes toward healing after the abuse has already happened. We want to stop the abuse before it starts. As far as RAACE is concerned, until every child is safe, our race has no finish line. It is dedicated volunteers like Lyndsey who will help us win this race, said RAACE Foundation founder, Ken Smith.
Lyndsey started her hard work over the summer, sending out letters to celebrities, sports teams and players, local restaurants and popular TV shows, asking for items that could be auctioned off to benefit The RAACE Foundation. So far, she has received over 100 items including: a Ryan Sheckler, X Games standout, poster and autographed letter; a signed poster from NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson; a Peyton Manning signed photo; a book signed by Michael Jordan; golf pin flags from Mark OMeara and Raymond Floyd and Washington Capitals signed 8x10 photos. Lyndseys favorite donation so far is the autographed 8x10 photo she received from comedian Dane Cook.
The letters with the donations all said what a great, creative idea they thought this was. Many of them said how eager they were to help and how they hoped my project was a big success, Lyndsey shared.
If you would like to come out and support The RAACE Foundation, the silent auction will be held at the Fairfield Area High School gym on Sunday, September 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fairfield High School is located at 4840 Fairfield Road, Fairfield, PA.
If you have something you would like to donate to Lyndseys auction to benefit The RAACE Foundation, you can send it to:
Lyndsey Poulson The RAACE Foundation Volunteer
4840 Fairfield Road
Fairfield, PA 17320
