Jane teaches Bay Area students in a Youth Media Education program facilitated by Just Think, an NPO that “envisions a world of critically and creatively engaged young people who influence media more than media influence them.”  (Below is a video project students in the program put together last year).

Before Christmas, Jane was accidentally included in an email from a room-parent to the other parents of her students, asking them for contributions to purchase a class gift for her.  Jane had been working with her students on building connections and relationships with their global community, including fundraising for NPOs like the World Food Program, Charity:Water, and MalariaNoMore.

So, she set up a fundraising page for the World Food Program and sent an email back thanking the parents for their thoughtfulness.  She asked them to donate to her fundraising page rather than purchasing a holiday gift for her, and they did!   Here’s what she had to say about the experience:

I feel strongly about these and other fundraising goals, and that it takes efforts from everyone. I have received lovely gifts from students and families before, but this one was especially beautiful.

One more note about my Firstgiving page. I chose to open a page that was interactive for the families — that they could see OUR goals. I extended the fundraising period to the end of the schoolyear, which is another time that I often receive gifts. Parents have been very excited to participate in such a meaningful cause, and I believe that our gifts have made us all happier.

We’re inspired by Jane’s story and have made a donation to her page. Kudos!

And here’s the video we mentioned: