Mercer Island High School (MIHS) students gained confidence and helped raise crucial funds during the recent three-weekend Mercer Island Community Holiday Tree Lot.
The members of student-run company Mercer Trade, Inc. (MTI) collaborated with the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (MIYFS) Foundation and Mercer Island Presbyterian Church to sell 879 of the 900 trees ordered and net a total income of $100,439, an amount that surpassed any previous sale by 10%, according to MTI adviser Jen McLellan.
Once all costs are accounted for, MTI and the MIYFS Foundation will split about $46,000 in profits, according to MIYFS Administrator Tambi Cork.
MIYFS Foundation’s proceeds will benefit the YFS Emergency Assistance programs, which includes rental and utility assistance and food pantry support for low-income residents.
Cork said the event shines a light on the robust giving spirit that exists on the Island.
“Youth and Family Services is grateful for the funding this event contributes towards our Emergency Assistance programs — need is higher than ever right now, and the foundation’s support allows us to continue responding to every eligible Islander seeking assistance,” said Cork, adding that MIYFS’s December Holiday program provides resources to low-income families for children’s gifts.
Over at MTI, McLellan said that their proceeds will firstly go toward tree lot volunteer and support groups. They’re looking into sending any remaining profit to their longstanding international partner, the Burao Academy, which helps provide sustainable quality education for Somali youth.
“It is a joy to be surrounded by adults and community partners who consistently believe and support our Mercer Island students. Giving them this opportunity to flex their emerging business skills is an extraordinary gift,” McLellan said of MTI taking the reins of tree lot operations.
MTI’s Brandon Chew gets satisfaction from raising a hefty amount of money for the two organizations. Through rainy, snowy and clear days, everyone involved in running the event and volunteering their time supplied hard work and dedication to reap success, he added.
“The sale has given us a chance to bond with our classmates, staff and the community as a whole. MTI believed in planning and operating an efficient and effective sale as this was our first year, and that’s exactly what we did,” he said.
MORE SCHOOL NEWS
* Mercer Island School District (MISD) is searching for new members to join its Long Range Facility Planning Committee.
In updating the district’s facility plan for 2023 and beyond, the committee will address: enrollment decline, budget challenges, updated demographic findings and additional facility needs.
Interested community members can fill out a survey, by Jan. 6, at https://tinyurl.com/v2tf9ytn.
* MISD Superintendent Fred Rundle and Executive Director of Finance and Operations Matt Sullivan will hold an online Budget 101 webinar from 5-6 p.m. on Jan. 19.
Through the event, MISD aims to increase community understanding of school finance, the district’s budget, and the current financial challenges and opportunities facing the district.
The webinar can be viewed at: https://mercerislandschools.zoom.us/j/82218409049.
