Rhodes’ Love For Riley Earns Her State Recognition
Rhodes’ Love For Riley Earns Her State Recognition
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Jackie Gorski-jgorski@timesuniononline.com
Rhodes’ Love For Riley Earns Her State RecognitionLauryn Rhodes, a Warsaw Community High School graduating senior, is part of Riley Children’s Foundation Next Generation Philanthropists Class of 2020.
The Next Generation Philanthropists is a graduating class of high school seniors “who have displayed exceptional leadership and character through their contributions to their school’s Riley Dance Marathon or Kids Caring & Sharing program,” said Sarah Franz, manager, Riley Dance Marathons.
Riley Dance Marathons are events put on by college and high school students where people dance for those who can’t and raise money for children at Riley Hospital for Children.
Kids Caring & Sharing is a program that offers students ways to help other children “by fundraising for Riley’s pediatric research through their schools.” Money can be raised through things like spirit weeks, walks or runs and penny wars.
“Over my last four years of helping with fundraising efforts, I have been able to assist WCHS in raising over $18,000 for the kids at Riley Hospital for Children. Throughout the years, we have hosted many exciting after-school fundraising events for the student body to participate in such as a ‘dive-in-theater,’ dodgeball tournaments, trivia nights, badminton tournaments, capture the flag and more,” Rhodes said.
“Last year, I helped to establish the first annual Riley Community Carnival as well as our first ‘$5 Day,’ an event where students paid $5 to get out of class and participate in a mini dance marathon. Each of these events leads up to our Riley Dance Marathon which takes place at the end of March of every year. All participants ‘stand for those who can’t’ and do not sit down during the entire duration of the eight-hour event.
“We invite Riley families in to speak on the hour, host a large number of games and activities, eat tons of food and give one final fundraising push during our Dance Marathon. At the end of the night, we hold up numbers that reveal the total amount raised over our month of fundraising efforts. It is always so incredible and rewarding to see everything unfold,” she said.
Rhodes said she has been active in other clubs and organizations throughout high school, including helping organize events such as Boomerang Backpacks, Feed My Starving Children, Hurricane Irma Relief, Steve Jones Memorial Scholarship fund, WCHS Student Council and the Warsaw Future Farmers of America Chapter.
In explaining how students are chosen for the annual event, Franz said students submit a written application. It is then reviewed by a selection committee made up of Riley Dance Marathon or Kids Caring & Sharing leaders at Riley Children’s Foundation, she said.
“We have more than 15,000 students participate in Riley Dance Marathons across the state annually. Anyone can nominate or self-nominate a graduating high school senior that meets the award criteria. Of those that apply, eight to 12 are chosen,” Franz said. “The Next Generation Philanthropists Class of 2020 includes students from across the state of Indiana. They serve as shining representatives of the students at 68 high schools who fundraised for Riley Dance Marathon during the 2019-20 school year.”
Rhodes said she applied for the award in late March and “received notification of being a recipient in mid-April. Although I applied for the award in March of this year, I have been extremely involved with WCHS Riley fundraising efforts since my freshman year of high school in 2016.”
Franz said applicants must be involved in Riley Children’s Foundation fundraising efforts at their high school and be graduating from their high school in good standing in the year that they apply.
“Fundraising for Riley Hospital for Children has by far been the most impactful and influential thing that I have participated in during my time at WCHS,” Rhodes said of why she applied. “I have learned so much from my experiences and have gained such a huge appreciation for Riley and all of the things that they do for the children that they serve.
“When I saw the application for this recognition, I was immediately drawn to it. I have so much respect for what this award stands for and for all of the hard work that goes into being a recipient of it. This award is so special to me and helps to represent my dedication to serving the children at Riley Hospital for Children.”
Rhodes also talked about the benefits of the program.
“Riley Hospital for Children has saved and changed the lives of so many children and their families. Because of people’s donations, patients are able to still be kids while they receive specialized medical care in many ways, including its Child Life Zone. Riley Hospital for Children has expanded with its new maternity and newborn health ward where expecting mothers and newborn babies can receive critically lifesaving care. This expansion was only possible with the help of donors and fundraisers.
“Riley also ranks as one of the top research hospitals in the nation and is heavily funded by donations and fundraisers. Every penny that is given to Riley is strategically used to improve and save the lives of thousands of children across the world,” Rhodes said.
According to Franz, award recipients will receive several things.
“Typically, winners and their guests are invited to an exclusive in-person event in Indianapolis along with other top Riley DM students, their guests and Riley Hospital for Children staff, hosted by Riley Children’s Foundation,” Franz said. “Due to event restrictions in place, we have shifted this experience to a special package of meaningful surprises that will be shipped to students in June.”
Other things award winners get include recognition on Riley Children's Foundation and/or Riley Dance Marathon social media, a certificate and letter signed by the Riley Children's Foundation CEO and a Riley branded graduation stole. They also will be recognized by the Indiana Association of School Principals, Franz said.
