The Student Government Association (SGA) at Jupiter High put on a Bingo Night Fundraiser for the nonprofit Annie’s Choice on Jan. 13. Organized by Mia Barrows, SGA’s 2nd Vice President, the bingo night managed to raise $370 for the organization.
Students paid a $10 fee to attend the event and its goal was to fundraise money and raise awareness about the organization and mental health in general.
Annie’s Choice was originally started because a JHS student took her life a few years ago. On its website, you can see Annie’s story, an option to donate or access to the many different resources it provides.
The bingo game itself also incorporated information pertaining to mental health to help further educate the students playing.
“On the bingo sheet, we had coping methods,” Izzy Haire, junior, said. “So even though it was a lot of fun and we’re trying to win prizes, those methods of coping were being reinforced constantly.”
The participants competed for prizes, such as gift baskets put together by SGA.
“In my basket I got a candle, hand cream, a subway gift card and some face masks,” Julia Ray, junior, said.
It consisted of guest speakers from Annie’s choice, including a licensed therapist and a JHS graduate, Victoria Bermudez, who is a member of the organization.
“I volunteer as much as I can with it since I am still in town,” Bermudez said.
Bermudez’s volunteer work with the nonprofit is in hopes of keeping Annie’s memory alive.
Many attendants left having learned why a student might need therapy, different ways to regulate stress and anxiety, and the history of Annie’s Choice and what it teaches. This helped part of the event’s intended purpose which was to raise awareness about mental health.
“It was very fun and lighthearted,” Chase Rodrigue, junior, said. “I got to know a little more about everyone’s experiences with Annie.”
Events like these, students can learn further about a certain topic
and support a cause such as mental health, volunteering etc. They also provide a chance for high schoolers to get a break from homework and extracurricular activities.
“I just think it really was an incredible event. Anything dealing with mental health especially is so prevalent because it’s really important to do things that make a difference and help people feel heard,” Barrows said.
Barrows was the student who orchestrated the event and she explained how impressed she was with the turnout.
“I thought Mia did an amazing job putting it all together and it really just showed how important it is to make sure you’re taking care of not only your friend but yourself,” Haire said.
