Boyce raises $3,000 for Ronald McDonald House
![Group photo of Boyce students at the Ronald McDonald House]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1742836636/uscsdk12paus/vsc83xubtechmgwvc9ut/Boyce-Donation.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1742836636/uscsdk12paus/vsc83xubtechmgwvc9ut/Boyce-Donation.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1742836636/uscsdk12paus/vsc83xubtechmgwvc9ut/Boyce-Donation.png","width":800}])
The Boyce Middle School community recently raised more than $3,000 to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. In addition, the school collected single serve snacks to fully restock the organization’s pantry.
The effort was led by school counselors Amy Antonio and Tonia Autieri. For many of the fifth and sixth graders, this was their first introduction to the Ronald McDonald House and its mission.
“We dedicated time in Guidance class to researching the organization and learning about the incredible impact it has on families each year,” Mrs. Antonio said. “It was wonderful to see how much more engaged and invested the students became once they understood how the funds would directly benefit kids their own age in our local community.”
The donations were raised through Boyce’s annual Valentine Grams in February. In exchange for a donation, students and families could have a valentine sent to anyone at Boyce. In addition, a Stock the Pantry drive was held throughout Random Acts of Kindness Week. Each of the school’s eight academic teams were asked to donate single serving sized trail mix, chips, crackers and popcorn.
“The success of this fundraiser would not have been possible without the dedication of our Outreach Committee,” Mrs. Antonio said. “They played an essential role in advertising, selling, and sorting the Valentines, and their hard work truly made a difference.”
Boyce’s Outreach Committee is part of the school’s Student Council.
“When students sign up for student council, they choose one committee to work on, including announcements, school spirit, outreach, etc.,” Mrs. Antonio said. “The students who want to help with community service projects are encouraged to sign up for the Outreach Committee.”
In appreciation of the students’ efforts, the organization invited members of the Outreach Community to tour its facility. More than 20 fifth and sixth graders visited the Ronald McDonald House.
“The trip to the Ronald McDonald House was an unforgettable experience for the students,” Mrs. Antonio said. “The tour gave us all a deeper understanding of the organization, and it was incredibly rewarding for the students to see firsthand where their contributions are going.”
The Ronald McDonald House, adjacent to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, provides a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children from birth through age 21 that will remain in the hospital for an extended period of time.
- Boyce