HOSA approves donation after receiving fundraiser money
HOSA met on April 19 to vote on whether or not the funds they raised should be donated to Christ for the City.
April 26, 2023
After the Health Occupations Students of America program participated in a school approved fundraiser in February, the seniors chose to donate the $9,000 they raised to the organization Christ for the City International, but something went wrong.
“We failed them,” health science teacher Nicole Antenem said in an email to staff. “We filed the paperwork incorrectly, worded it wrong. We’re still not really sure, but we screwed up.”
After raising more than $18,000, HOSA was told that it would not be allowed to use this money to donate to the charity. According to the Comal ISD Activity Funds Manuel, student activity accounts cannot be used for making cash donations.
“We cannot begin to explain how much this has impacted Caroline and myself physically and emotionally,” Antenem said. “It’s truly heartbreaking and devastating knowing we played a part in this fiasco.”
After administration informing them of this fact, Antenen asked for help from her fellow staff members, so that a donation could be made.
“Any amount helps, any amount is appreciated and if you can’t help financially, we will gladly accept your prayers and well wishes as we strive to reach this seemingly impossible goal,” Antenen wrote in her email.
To be able to use the money raised, HOSA members voted April 19 on whether they wanted to use the money raised in this fundraiser as a donation to the charity.
Assistant superintendent Corbee Wenderlich was present at the meeting as a representative of the district. He was there to walk HOSA through the process of voting and what would happen after votes were cast.
“The point of the meeting was to get a vote of the full membership as to how we wanted to disperse money that we raised in a fundraiser,” HOSA teacher Caroline Osbourne said.
When votes were counted, HOSA found enough votes were cast to be able to use the money for its original intended purpose.
“We got the votes we needed,” Antenen said. “The business office will write the check and send it to Christ for the City, so our 2023 seniors can leave the legacy they hoped for.”