Chase County Schools’ ‘Sharing the Love’ project continues to grow

After three years, the “Sharing the Love” project at Chase County Schools continues to grow and benefit the community.
This year’s grade 5-6 fundraiser filled part of the school commons area Feb. 6 at the home Longhorn basketball games and, as in previous years, had another great response, said Darcie Boman, one of the middle school teachers who helps coordinate the project with students.
Started in 2022 in response to the devastating December 2021 fires in Boulder County, Colorado, the project features a collection of themed gift baskets in a silent auction along with an array of raffle items. Those attending the games last week were able to bid on 16 gift baskets and take chances on 35 raffle items.
Special additions this year included cake pops for sale, a cookbook for purchase made by the 5th grade language arts class and bracelets made by 5th grader Violet Sinclair she sold with money donated to the cause.
An important part of the project is student and family involvement. Boman said she first visits with the students about the project, then sends home a letter to parents asking for donations of a gift basket or raffle item. Over half of the families made a donation of an item this year, she said.
Some of the 2024 gift basket themes included the Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, game night, movie night, ice cream sundae items, fishing supplies, arts and crafts, Valentine goodies and more. Most of the raffle items were Valentine-themed foods.
“We have always had great support from our parents and families with donating items, but this is the most we’ve had with 51 items,” Boman said.
It was a huge success with just over $2,100 raised.
And like the planning of the event, the students also decide where the fundraiser’s proceeds go.
In its first year, Boman said a couple of students brought up the 2021 Colorado fires and wanted to do something for the students in those communities. The money raised in the February 2022 effort went to a Colorado school district where CCS students sent books, school supplies and backpacks.
This year, after about 25 local projects were suggested from brainstorming and talking to city and community leaders, Boman said the list was narrowed to 11. The 100 students in the 5-6 classes voted for their top four projects and the top five vote-getters will receive this year’s funds.
They include the Imperial Theatre $500, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at Lied Imperial Public Library $500, Max Addition Park renovations $500, The Giving Circle $400 and Legos for the Public Library project $200.
Last year’s $3,000 in proceeds, which also came from concession sales the same night, purchased a picnic table for the fairgrounds, $250 worth of puzzles for the Imperial Manor and $700 for Imperial’s City Square renovation project.
Boman said she loves the “Sharing the Love” project, but added she never thought it would turn into what it has since the first year. The students really like it, too, she added.
“Sharing the Love” will continue each February, the month known for love, Boman said, as long as she is still teaching here and the students remain excited about it.
“I think this project gives them some pride knowing that they are helping out others and they are part of making this community a better place,” she said.
“I think it is so important to teach kids how to give and give back,” she said.
Other CCS middle school teachers making the project happen include Abigail Bauerle, Janet Sheaffer and Gregg Meyer.