By Heidi Buhler, Grade 11 student, La Crete Public School

Aspiring Change Through Service.

That is the message La Crete Public School's ACTS class is all about. Students are encouraged to step out in the community, volunteer, lead, and make a difference.

For one credit in the class, students need to organize and execute a project of their choosing that aims for the betterment of others. This fall, four students – Brooklyn Peters, Alexa Reed, Haley Banman, and Heidi Buhler – chose to do an Operation Starvation fundraiser for their project. The event took place over two days, from Nov. 22 to 23.
Operation Starvation is an event where student participants raise money by pledging to fast for 33 hours, from Friday morning beginning at 12:00 a.m. to Saturday morning. No food, caffeine, or soda. Only water and juice. This experience gives students a small taste of what it is like for those in poverty who cannot afford food. The money raised is meant to go to people who feel the effects of these global issues.

The fundraiser also includes an overnight event where the participants can stay at the school. Movies are playing all night, and there is an open gym,  along with games, a photo booth and, of course, a place to sleep.

The event is well-loved by those who have participated in the past and newcomers alike. In 2019, LCPS brought new students, allowing for a record high number of students signed up – 109. This, in turn, brought in the greatest amount of money this fundraiser has seen, reaching nearly $6,000!

The coordinators of the event decided beforehand that half of these funds would go to the local food bank for the Christmas food hampers, and the other half is designated for Save the Children.

The organizers wanted to give to those next to us, who we may not notice, as well as those across the world. The entire event was a huge success. It ran smoothly and allowed for $6,000 to be split between two great organizations. The Operation Starvation Team would like to express a huge thank-you to everyone who participated in, helped with, and donated to our cause.

"Operation Starvation" at La Crete Public School