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Teen Volunteers create a community-based organization
to raise big money for an often overlooked illness. ...
Story by Kathy Thayer, Teacher
Brevard County Schools
In May 2005, a student named Brian Kuell was
getting ready to head to Minnesota for a bone marrow transplant. When I asked
his mother what we as a school community could do for them at this stressful
time, her response was clear.
 “Fundraising.
If we don’t raise money for research, these kids will all die.”
I asked her, “If I found a group of students through
our Future Problem Solving teams to work on a fundraiser, would that help?”
She said, “Absolutely.”
The first four students that were asked said adamantly YES!
Those students were sophomore Chad Thayer, and Juniors Chris
Jenkins, Carter Davis, and Mike Burcham.
The four boys decided to put together a tennis tournament
and silent auction to raise money and awareness of Fanconi Anemia. FA receives
no federal funding and is dependent on families who are affected to help find
research funds.
With no experience, the four boys pounded the pavement for donations, searched
for community sponsors, and learned to deal with the word no. They used days
off from school to work on this project, while peers went to the beach or slept
in. The amazing thing about this project is that the students were the ones who
did everything. One adult advisor participated when needed.
The event was extraordinary. The silent auction included live music, tennis
exhibition game, and gourmet buffet. The tennis tournament was held the following
morning. More than 100 people came and enjoyed the fun. The total raised for
the event came to $17,650.00. All proceeds from this event were
donated to The Fanconi Anemia Research Fund.
In 2007, a second event was held. A few more members joined the core four
students to help out. The event raised another $21,500, which
also went directly to the fund. The silent auction featured a live band and dancing.
The tennis tournament winner was the guest of honor, Brian Kuell.
Brian was unable to play in the first year’s
tournament due to his health; however, his bone marrow transplant was so successful
that his doctors said he could forget he ever had FA and go on to live a happy
life. He recently met the bone marrow donor. He also went on to win the State
doubles championship for his schools tennis team!
Three of the four core persons graduated in 2007, with their classmate Brian.
Chad was the only core member left in the group, and decided to take the effort
to the next level.
After the 2007 event, Chad recruited a few members from his new high school.
They began a legacy of leadership effort to train younger students to run the
program once the students who are seniors have graduated, guaranteeing that the
charitable effort will continue into the future.
Chad and the new group also decided to incorporate the program so that they
could apply for 501(c)3 charity status. Charity status will allow donated funds
to be tax deductible and will enable the organization to apply for grants and
funds from programs such as the United Way.
The project is now a student-run, community-based program with students from
two schools in the Melbourne, Florida Area.
Chad attended the National Conference on Volunteering
held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in July 2007 to gather more ideas on fundraising
and receive training on managing a nonprofit organization. He also received a
Governor’s Points
of Light Award for exemplary volunteerism. For more information on Chad’s
Points of Light Award, visit the Volunteer
Florida Foundation.
Plans are currently underway for a 2008 tournament and silent
auction. Two other small fundraisers are being held at West Shore Junior/Senior
High.
Chad is a senior this year. He hopes to see this project go on so that The
Fanconi Anemia Research fund always has a donation in honor of his friend, Brian
Kuell.
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