Photo courtesy Ella Barrett

The By Kids, For Kids club assembles prize baskets for one of their fundraisers. The club organized many fundraising events to help raise money for charity.

By Kids, For Kids Club held fundraising events involving pumpkin carving and painting along with pet or solo costume competitions virtually from Oct. 23 through Oct. 29. Students could participate by paying $5 to donate to the Make-A-Wish organization with a prize for the two winners.

The By Kids, For Kids Club is all about hosting activities and fundraisers that donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Ninety percent of the proceeds from the fundraisers go to the foundation while the other 10% help the activities that they host. Students also have the opportunity to obtain SSL hours by attending meetings and helping with the fundraisers.

This club stems from the Make-A-Wish Foundation which helps them grow in a variety of ways. The fundraising aspect of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is especially important.

“Sales fundraisers are a win-win for everyone! Create your own or choose from some of these sales: bake, garage, cookbook, candy grams, holiday gift baskets, finals “survival” kits, flowers, wristbands, T-shirts, Make-A-Wish paper stars, etc,” the Make-A-Wish website said.

The first fundraiser to boost their club was a solo or pet costume and pumpkin carving or painting contest. This fundraiser allowed students, parents and teachers to participate in Halloween festivities together as a community. Participants were required to pay $5 on the Walter Johnson website under the online payments section; then they could take a picture of the costume or pumpkin and send it via Instagram direct message or email.

When the club received all of the pictures by Oct. 29, they created a Google document where all of the submission pictures were located. Then, there was a vote of which is the best in the two different categories. The winner in both categories was awarded a prize.

“The ones with the most votes will win one of two baskets which will be a movie basket that includes a Roku stick and some snacks and then a comfy blanket,” club president Grace Parker said.

By Kids, For Kids wants the Walter Johnson community to help donate to a great cause while having fun with Halloween festivities. This contest allowed students and others to be engaged with school activities while staying safe at home.

By Kids, For Kids also wants students to join their club so they can be a part of similar activities in the future. Even if a donation isn’t possible, there are other ways to be involved with the activities of the club.

“If someone can’t donate it’s not a problem, we just ask them to participate in events to boost rates and excitement,” club secretary Julia Garms said.

By Kids, For Kids plans to create and host many other creative events for the WJ community.