ALLEGANY – Friends of Rachel, a student club at Allegany-Limestone Junior/Senior High School, has partnered with Studio 4 East in Allegany to put up items for sale for a fundraiser.
But the purpose of the effort is also to spread a simple but important message: “Treat people with kindness!”
This is the message on the clothes and stickers for sale. There are adult and youth sizes and multiple colors to choose from. Visit the online store at http://friendsofrachel2023.itemorder.com.
Sale ends February 10th.
Allegany-Limestone’s Terra LaCroix explained that Friends of Rachel is a club — with chapters in schools across the country — dedicated in memory of Rachel Joy Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999 in Colorado. Founded .
LaCroix started the Allegany Limestone chapter a few years ago. It currently has more than 50 members and the officers are Madison Callen (President), Gracie Amore (Vice President), Abigail Lowe (Secretary), and Mia Giannicchi (Treasurer).
After Rachel’s tragic death, the passage follows: “I have this theory that if a person can go out of their way to show compassion, that will set off a chain reaction from them. People will never know how far a little kindness can go,” read a two-page essay Rachel wrote a month before the incident.
LaCroix said Rachel dreams of dedicating her life to helping as many people as possible through the power of compassion. Her family wanted to help make that dream a reality, so they created FOR.
“Our (Allegany-Limestone Club) has done a wealth of random acts of kindness in our school and community,” LaCroix said, “including community cleans, SPCA fundraisers (Walk-a-thon and Cutest Dog Contest), adoption by local families for Christmas.” , Autism Awareness/Fundraiser, Breast Cancer Awareness/Fundraiser, Gift Baskets for those in need of a cheer, Ukraine Fundraiser and much more.”
She said club members also do kind acts within the school, such as B. Decorating teachers’ mailboxes, painting and giving away flower pots for each staff member, making flowers and ornaments out of tape for all teachers, putting friendly quotes on every vehicle in the parking lot, and raising money for scholarships.
“Many of these acts of kindness cost money,” LaCroix said. “As a result, we need to do something sporadically to return funds to our account so that we can continue to perform arbitrary acts of kindness.”