En Garde! Souderton Anniversary

Five years! The kids we serve tell us that five years is a long time, and for them I suppose it is. They are high schoolers, so five years is a third to a quarter of their lifetime! When I started En Garde! Souderton I thought often thought about what it would be like to celebrate this milestone. It is special because the 2024 - 2025 year marks the beginning of our second cycle. What we mean by that is that every one of our original club members has now graduated. The members who were in 9th grade when they joined the club the first year it was formed have now graduated. We are excited to let you know that next year’s school club officers have been chosen and the club is in good hands.

When En Garde! Souderton was formed, sustainability was a big concern. How would the organization continue to raise funds to support the program when the students move up and out? The answer has been a steady board makeup and a student tradition where each group teaches the next. The students in the club participate in talking to people and raising funds during events like Third Friday, the Night Market, bake sales, and individual fundraisers.

This board makeup has remained consistent across the years. With hard work from the board, we have been the recipient of generous gifts from Walmart, Amazon, and other corporations. In the past four years, we have raised over $20,000 to fund fencing for all at Souderton Hhigh Sschool. We are grateful for the time and energy that our officers put in. All serve without compensation and bring significant expertise to our organization.

We need to raise $5,000 for the 2024 - 2025 year. We are ready to launch forward into the next five years and beyond. Fencing is more than a sport; it’s truly a holistic discipline, combining physical ability, strategy, stamina, learning, and more. It is an excellent experience for a high-schooler to have as they move on to whatever comes next. We need your help ensure this opportunity is available to students for the next five years and beyond!

Help us reach our goal by September so we are ready when the kids meet to start the season by making a donation today.

www.engardesouderton.org