Alden High School’s Key Club, led by senior president Corinne Bishop, has made a powerful impact with a Veterans Day fundraiser benefiting local veterans in Western New York. With the help of faculty advisor and social studies teacher Andrew Sigurdson, the club organized a unique campaign to honor veterans and bring the community together in a shared goal. The fundraiser invited community members to donate $10 for each American flag placed on the school’s front lawn, symbolizing support for veterans. The the project gained so much traction that it brought in a total of $1,500.
“We created this idea to donate to Western New York veterans, and we wanted to incentivize people to donate by having a $10 donation equal one flag being put in the lawn out front,” Corinne explained. With the funds raised, the Key Club will donate approximately $1,200 directly to Western New York veterans, with the remaining funds covering project expenses.
The idea for the fundraiser was born during a Key Club general meeting, where members brainstormed ways to get the community involved in Veterans Day. “We realized there hadn’t been a fundraiser for Veterans Day yet,” Mr. Sigurdson shared. “We do this big, elaborate, amazing assembly, but we never really donate anything.” With support from Alden High School staff, the idea quickly developed into a large-scale effort.
Mr. Sigurdson praised the students’ initiative and the impact of the project, saying, “It’s been incredible to see the way the students have taken ownership of this idea and turned it into something that reaches the entire community. Veterans Day is so significant to Alden, and this project allowed us to bring in support from every part of the community.” He added that the fundraiser not only honors veterans but also instills a sense of responsibility and pride among the students.
The flags on the school’s lawn stand as a powerful visual tribute to those who have served, thanks to the collective efforts of Alden High School’s Key Club and the broader community. The fundraiser highlights the importance of honoring veterans and reflects the shared values of service and gratitude that the Alden community upholds.
