Students at Community High School in West Chicago
had a special guest at their Winter Pep Assembly
this year, Mongo the Goat. Mongo was there to meet
the teacher that won the honor to “kid around” for
charity and kiss him in front of the school.
Unusual fundraisers are not new to CHS. In the past
five years, over $ 50,000 has been raised to build
schools in Angola, Africa through teacher “sumo
wrestling” tournaments, dances, swim-a-thons,
concerts, change drives and the sale of ceiling
tiles.
The “Just Kidding” fundraiser asked students to buy
a lollipop for a quarter and designate which staff
member the quarter should go towards. The staff
member with the most contributions the day of the
Pep Assembly won the honor of kissing a baby goat;
otherwise known as a “kid”.
Science teacher Jill Serling won the contest. Not to
be outdone, runner-up Pete Martino, the Assistant
Principal, volunteered to “kid around” and give
Mongo a kiss as well.
"There are so many who are less fortunate than us. I
think, especially during this time of year, we
should really be thankful for all of our blessings,"
stated School Resource Officer Joe H. Gaztambide,
who was in the lead after the first week.
Over 35 staff members volunteered to participate in
the “Just Kidding” fundraiser, including Spanish
teacher Sarah Bellis. “The Community Leadership
class has done so much to unite our student body and
come up with creative fund raisers,” states Bellis.
“It's great to see the kids getting involved and
excited, even if it involves me kissing a goat.
Senior Anthony Nolazco used his connections to find
the “star” of Thursday’s event, Mongo. Mongo is a 9
month old male goat from Fox Prairie Farm Boer Goats
in Hampshire, Illinois. Nolazco explains, “This is a
great fundraiser for WeGo to Africa because it is so
out of the ordinary that it helps us attract more
and more people to want to help us out. We’re really
hoping that is it successful and raises a lot of
money so we can continue to help out the less
fortunate children in Angola.”
The WeGo 2 Africa project is in its sixth year at
the high school. Led by students in the Community
Leadership class, the funds raised through the
program have been used to build three elementary
schools in Angola as well as send medical, school
and recreational supplies to children attending the
schools. CHS works with the non-profit organization
Rise International in these endeavors.
Students at CHS have a local focus to their charity
as well. The Skills USA/VICA organization is
currently hosting a canned food drive for St. Mary’s
Food Pantry. The Interact Club is hosting a Toys for
Tots Drive and a blood drive for Heartland Blood
Centers. Student Council is organizing a “Jeans for
Teens” event for the New Year. There is also an
active Habitat for Humanity chapter at the school as
well as an environmental organization called, “Club
Green”.
“The mission statement of CHS emphasizes the
importance of learning, living and leadership.
Through service to the community, students are
learning how they can lead by example and improve
the lives of others both locally and globally,”
explains Community Leadership instructor Mary Ellen
Daneels. “We hope that these experiences will create
a ‘habit of the heart’ that will continue long after
they leave the school.”
For more information about the WeGo to Africa
program, please contact Mary Ellen Daneels at (630)
876-6453.
CHS "Kids Around" for Charity
