W
hat started as a fundraiser for a local cancer
center led by a Fairview High School student
four years ago has evolved into a full-blown,
community-supported philanthropic non-
profit. Fairview Cares has donated an impressive $80,000
back to the community since it was launched in 2013.
Fairview Cares was originally a school project by Hayden
Elliott, a high school junior at the time. Elliott set out to
raise money for the Regional Cancer Center and through the
program raised more than $10,000 the first year.
Then, two years ago, Matt Greene, a teacher at Fairview,
took over and became the high school coordinator, working
with the students to run Fairview Cares. The initiative has
become a life learning experience for Fairview High School
students.
Greene teaches web design, marketing and Introduction
to Business classes. Students in his classes are responsible for
running Fairview Cares to gain hands-on business experience
and a chance to build their portfolio.
Each year the students in the Web Design class design a
new website for Fairview Cares. The best one serves as the
official website, which generally goes live in December.
The same happens with the t-shirts. There is a districtwide
contest for the year’s design among the students. Last year,
Devon Eisenhut, who is now a senior at Fairview and wants
to be a graphic designer, created the winning design. Local
printer Creative Imprint creates the shirts for the organization
to sell.
Business class students handle the sponsorship sales for
Fairview Cares. They are responsible for cold calling local
businesses and asking for donations.
“For a week the students’ job is to find sponsors. They have
to log calls and take notes about who they spoke to and write a
summary of the call, so there is accountability,” says Greene.
Greene explains that hearing a lot of “No, thank yous” is a
good life lesson that students learn quickly and it makes them
more confident and comfortable. The business community
has been very generous and makes up a large portion of the
funds raised each year. Sponsors are listed on the back of the
t-shirts that are sold as a fundraiser.
Small events are held throughout the year for Fairview
Cares such as Chipotle Nights, Avonia Tavern Nights,
Parents’ Night Out and 100 Bags. The middle and elementary
schools get involved through a Change Challenge—students
are encouraged to bring in loose change and compete for a
fun prize.
The biggest event for Fairview Cares is a 5K held in May
at the Fairview High School football field track. The entire
community is invited to participate, along with students and
cancer survivors.
The primary beneficiary of the money raised by the
students remains the Regional Cancer Center, but Fairview
Cares has added two secondary charities that receive
donations as well—The Neighborhood Art House and the
Crime Victim Center of Erie County.
Businesses or individuals interested in supporting Fairview
Cares can visit fairviewcares.org. ■
Greene explains that hearing a
Green
that hearing
of “no
lot of explains
‘No, thank
yous’ is a a lot
good
thank yous” is a good life lesson that
life lesson
that students
learn them
students
learn quickly
and it makes
quickly
and it makes
them more
more confident
and comfortable.
confident and comfortable.
West County | Winter 2017 | icmags.com 13