Close Up fundraiser set for February 12

Later this year, 14 Whitehall Middle School students will be traveling to Washington D.C. and New York City as part of the Close Up program. The students have been working hard throughout the year to raise money for the trip scheduled for June and will be hosting a Soup and Bingo Night February 12 at the Whitehall Community Center from 5 to 8 p.m.

The cost to attend is $5 per person and along with the soup and bingo will feature a silent auction. The bingo will be hosted by local Veterans.

Whitehall teacher and group advisor Robyn Smith said some of the soups included will be cheese, Zuppa Toscana, chili, taco, hamburger and they will also be serving rolls and drinks.

Smith said this will be the biggest fundraiser of the year for the students.

"Fundraising is important for many of these students, but with Whitehall being such a small community, we've scaled back on the number of fundraisers as a group as many businesses are asked to support our schools in many various capacities and we are so thankful for those that do support our schools. This year, we as a group are more focused on student's individual work in fundraising. We've scaled back to six major fundraisers. Several fundraisers include the 50/50 Raffle during home basketball games and supporting middle school sporting events with concessions," she said. "The community really came out in support of our group during our bake sale for the Christmas Stroll and the Jefferson Valley Community Foundation awarded a Star Youth grant in October. Our local veterans have helped us with this fundraiser previously and are again up to the task. Working for the schools, I'm not sure many children find the time to play a fun game of bingo, so bring the family down, have some laughs, win some prizes and slurp some soup while supporting a great cause."

The trip is scheduled for June 23 to 29 and their initial arrival will include workshops and orientation to the Nation's Capital and the essential of how Democracy impacts live.

The second day in Washington D.C. includes tours of the Jefferson, Roosevelt, WWII, and MLK Memorials, and a trip to Arlington National Cemetery. Day three includes the U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, Smithsonian and the Korean, Vietnam and Lincoln Memorials in addition to participating in a Mock Congress to debate and vote on today's issues. On day four the group will visit the White House (outside only), the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, the National Archives and the National Mall.

Smith said after four days in Washington most of the group will travel to New York City and visit Central Park, Times Square, a Broadway performance, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Financial District and 9/11 Memorial, Little Italy, Brooklyn Bridge, and end with a "Top of the Rock" viewing of NY from Rockefeller Plaza.

Smith said the program is wonderful for local students because they get to learn about our country's policies, democracy, and how Congress works by bringing our perspective on local and national issues to the table for other students across the country to debate.

Smith added they also looking for donation items for our silent auction and if someone would like to make a donation to the group fundraising goal of $36,500, please contact the school at 406-287-3862.