MIA Girls Learn International is back with an outstanding fundraiser this holiday season. Last spring, MIA GLI collected mass amounts of donations for The Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples. Clothing and jewelry, canned food, feminine products, and other items were donated to the shelter by MIA’s generous student body. This year, the girls of MIA GLI came up with yet another great idea for a new fundraiser to bring some joy to the shelter this winter.

As they were brainstorming, the club’s treasurer, Helen Totten, suggested an old idea to bring in some competition. “I was thinking of ideas and I saw a penny on the ground, I went right back to my middle school days with the Penny Drive,” said Helen.

The club loved the recommendation and decided to hone in on the idea.

MIA GLI’s goal is to raise a minimum of $200 and use 25% of the money on a pizza party for the winning grade. Totten collected the gallons from the local middle school, and the girls got to work creating a money scheme. At their meetings leading up to it, members collaborated and made posters to spread the word about the upcoming event until the jugs were set out and the competition finally began.

The girls began the fundraiser on Wednesday, November 1st, and plan to run it until Thursday, November 30th. Just two days into the fundraiser, the club has already begun making strides toward its goal.

But who’s in the lead?

So far, the senior class is taking charge. Closely following are the sophomores and juniors who are currently tied, with freshmen falling behind in last place.

“It’s really special to see all students actively participate in our first fundraiser, and help out such an important cause,” said GLI president Annabelle Frazer. “With feminism, it’s not always about politics. Sometimes it’s simply about advocating for the safety, comfort, and support of women within the community.”

Though this is just the beginning, our persistent Rays are continuing to push towards greatness, and help out our community. Go Rays!