Oak Knoll Upper School students finished strong with another act of service to others during the school’s final HOPE Committee (Helping Other People Everywhere) fundraiser of the academic school year. 

Oak Knoll’s HOPE Committee raised $ 1,131.75 for four nonprofits by organizing a dress down day where students, faculty and staff contributed $5 to dress out of uniform, or casually.

Throughout the course of last week, students learned about the four local nonprofits in General Homeroom.

The HOPE Committee serves as a clearinghouse for all OKS fundraising, collections, drives and all other monetary requests. Due to COVID-19, the HOPE Committee is currently unable to host its usual bake sales, which usually add to their fundraising totals.

Stephanie Almozara, Upper School Theology Department Chair, Campus Ministry Director, and the HOPE Committee adviser, said that she is humbled by the students’ desire to fundraise for causes that are important to them and to our world.

“In the midst of the pandemic when the need of our neighbors is great, our students continue to meet the wants of the age,” said Almozara. “Bravo to them!”

Desiree Mitchell ’21 said that it is important for all students to help and donate to nonprofit organizations because it’s now a crucial time to give back and help our community. 

“A key component to wanting to give back is recognizing one’s privilege and that we automatically have access to these resources that others do not,” said Mitchell. “Working with Harlem Grown is important to me because it is giving me the opportunity to help minorities and low-income families in Harlem gain access to fresh produce.”

The proceeds from last week’s HOPE Committee fundraiser were donated to the following four charities:

Harlem Grown

Harlem Grown is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy and ambitious lives through mentorship and hands-on education in urban farming, sustainability, and nutrition. Founded in 2011, Harlem Grown operates local urban farms, increases access to and knowledge of healthy food for Harlem residents, and provides garden-based development programs to Harlem youth.

UNICEF
UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Across more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF does whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence

Save Pangolins
Save Pangolins raises awareness and supports conservation of the world’s most trafficked mammals the Pangolin. Pangolins are insect-eating mammals that are covered in tough, overlapping scales. There are eight pangolin species living across Asia and Africa.

St. John’s Soup Kitchen

St. John’s Soup Kitchen located in Newark, NJ, provides meals to the downtrodden, the underemployed, the unemployed, the homeless and their families. For more than 40 years St. John’s Soup Kitchen has cared for those who have been without food or clothing.

For more information about Oak Knoll’s HOPE Committee, please visit https://www.oakknoll.org/upper-school/student-life/clubs/.