Help Students Buy a Car for AA Teacher Mr. Atkins

4/5 UPDATE: Hi friends! Some are asking about the status of our fundraiser, so here’s an update. A few days into our fundraiser, Andrews University found out about it and reached out to Mr. Atkins to discuss a possible conflict of interest. So while our initial surprise was ruined, Mr. Atkins was nonetheless greatly moved by the generosity of the community. 

He shared with us that he was initially confused about a GoFundMe as he was not familiar with GoFundMe and had never thought that anything like this would ever happen. He then realized what incredible thoughtfulness, appreciation, and generosity was directed toward him. As he processed what was going on, he was filled with emotion regarding this appreciation, kindness, and love by so many in the community. He wanted to reach out and thank individuals right away but needed to process the possible conflict of interest the University expressed. 

The steps that have been decided are:
(1) to not share with Mr. Atkins any names of those who gave to ensure all gifts remain anonymous for him (so please do not share details with him).

(2) to refund donations made from current *non anonymous* freshmen students (and their families). All anonymous freshmen donations will remain.

And (3) to wait until after the end of this semester/school year to present the gift to Mr. Atkins (hopefully early in June).

Mr. Atkins is so happy to eventually be able to purchase a lower mileage, safer used car. Without this generous gift he would only be able to buy a high mileage and older used car which would be much less reliable. Mr. Atkins said that every so often he “pinches himself” to make sure he’s not dreaming. He is overcome with the thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity of this gift. So THANK YOU all so much for your tremendous outpouring of love and generosity! ❤️❤️



3/7 UPDATE:  We have reached our goal of $20,000!!! Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to making this fundraiser a resounding success!! ❤️

3/3/ UPDATE on SECRET FUNDRAISER by Atkins’ biology students:

First a huge thank you to everyone who has donated thus far!! Your response has been overwhelming and heartwarming! Second, some news: We have decided to raise our goal amount. Let me give you a little background as to why: On Saturday night, before we launched, we called Mr. Atkins’s wife Alice to let her in on the secret and get her help with (1) ensuring they didn’t buy a car before we concluded our fundraiser and (2) finding out what kind of car they were looking at, to help set our target amount.

Yesterday I spoke with Alice and, sadly, the car they had wanted—which was an incredible deal at just below $15,000—was no longer available by the time they went to see it on Monday. Comparable cars cost a few thousand more. Thus we’ve raised our new target goal to $20,000. 

Whether or not we reach our new goal, the amount you have already raised will go tremendously far in helping them buy their new dream car. So a huge THANK YOU to everyone from the bottom of our hearts! ❤️

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If you share this post make sure to select the audience as “Friends EXCEPT Steve Atkins and Alice Atkins” so he doesn’t find out!!

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Appeal: Mr. Atkins has been a much-loved teacher at Andrews Academy for almost 30 years, going above and beyond to ensure his students succeed in his classes. Almost daily he stays after school to help us with labs or give us extra help via Zoom. 

For years his old Suzuki has been on its last leg, and for the last few years students have been wanting to somehow come together and help buy him a new car.  Yesterday Mr. Atkins  was in an accident and his beloved red Suzuki was totaled. So we, a group of students from his biology class, are asking family and friends to consider helping us raise funds to surprise our dear Mr. Atkins with a car. 

We would greatly appreciate any amount you can contribute! And please add a COMMENT about how Mr. Atkins has influenced/blessed you in the past, as we will be including these in a book we will present to him.

Finally, please remember this is a SURPRISE so PLEASE keep it a SECRET! 

If you have any questions, please contact the select parent for our group, Silvia Bacchiocchi, via Facebook. 

Thank you so much!! ❤️