[ot-caption title=”Mr. Pierson gives two big thumbs up while being drenched by a few Upper School students. (via Jordanna Brody, Senior)” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/PCCF-e1410568795566.jpg”]

September 11^th is now called a National Day of Service and Remembrance. The Pine Crest Community Foundation (PCCF), led by Mrs. Damoorgian, challenged the Upper School to give back to those less fortunate than we. The highlight of the week was the PCCF Ice Bucket Fundraiser where three faculty members were drenched with ice-cold water.

Piggybacking onto the very popular ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, PCCF decided to create their own event in order to raise money for local charities. Students purchased raffle tickets for $2 and put it in one of six different faculty member’s bucket. The participating faculty members were Mr. Schwartz, Ms. Alexanderson, Ms. Ortega, Mrs. Venne, Sr. Kruger-Robbins, and Mr. Pierson. The teacher with the most tickets at the end of the week was going to be drenched. It was a close competition all week, and in the end, there was a three-way tie.

On September 12, 2014, the crowd gathered around the sacrifice circle after school to watch the events unfold. First up was Mrs. Ortega, followed by Sr. Kruger-Robbins. Mr. Pierson asked for numerous buckets to be dumped on his head, so his wish was granted. Eleven kids gathered around him and drenched him in freezing water. When asked how Ms. Ortega felt regarding being chosen, she replied, “I’m excited that the students felt so compelled to contribute to me being iced!”

[ot-caption title=”Mrs. Ortega was the first teacher to get doused. (via Ruchika Sharma, Senior)” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ortega.gif”]

[ot-caption title=”Señor Kruger-Robbins was next. (via Ruchika Sharma, Senior)” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/kruger.gif”]

[ot-caption title=”Mr. Pierson topped off the PCCF ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. (via Ruchika Sharma, Senior)” url=”https://pcpawprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/pierson.gif”]

In addition to the Ice Bucket Fundraiser, Pine Crest also held a peanut butter and jelly sandwich drive in which students were able to come during their lunch periods and make sandwiches for the less fortunate. Sra. Dona-Morice brought her entire fourth period class down to help out. Students also had the opportunity to bring in items for the various community service projects going on around campus to earn double the community service hours.

The week was very successful from a student perspective as it united the school and caused students to take a break from schoolwork and focus on helping others. Senior Julia Sabra reflected on the week, “I think the purpose of doing this community service week is really great, it’s a great tribute and remembrance to everyone who is a victim of 9/11 or was somehow affected by it. I think that the ice bucket challenge was a really fun way to get the students really excited about doing something really fun with their faculty. Plus, it’s raising money for charity which is the best part of it!”