Kate's "Community Change" for Macomb High School

Hi - I'm Kate Killian and I'm the founder of “Community Change" - Let's raise $3500 to support the mental wellness of the students at Macomb High School!

My Story:

When I was 5 years old, I noticed that children in my class did not have snacks at snack time. They didn’t have money for “extra food.” I shared my snacks but also decided I wanted to help in a larger way!

I created an organization called “Community Change.” This organization raises money for anyone who needs it in the community.

At 5 years old I had a gallon Ziploc bag and I went from door to door in my neighborhood knocking on those doors asking for change for my services. I volunteered to walk the neighbor’s dogs, water plants, feed fish, and/or anything for a donation of change.

When my bag was full my mom took it to the bank. I had raised about $75 in change. We went to the grocery store and bought snacks for my class. I did this each week. And each week we took snacks to my class to share with my classmates. I also bought stuffed animals for everyone in my class to be used for independent reading.

That was just the beginning. Every year I raise money for a project close to my heart. I always make the first donation. I make the money for the donation by volunteering in my community for change. I walk dogs, dog sit, water plants, bake cookies, and/or anything anyone needs. Also, for each birthday I ask for money/donations rather than presents to use for the project.

“Community Change” Projects have raised over $21,000 for a number of charities, organizations, schools, and memorial funds.

Goal:

To make others feel better/worthy, to support people who are in need, to support animals who are in need, to make a difference in the world not by just sharing money but sharing love/kindness, to help people, to be the change.

Why I raise money for Mental Health Awareness and Wellness:

I'm a member of the "Covid generation." In 2021 I was a freshman at Macomb High School where much of our learning was online and extra curricular activities were put on hold. My friends and I were scared, isolated, anxious and depressed.

I wanted to help. In 2021 I raised money for the Guidance Counselors at Macomb High School to support Health and Wellness Week. We had a great speaker and many activities that engaged the student body and gave hope to our school.

Since then I've raised money each year for my High School to continue Health and Wellness Week! I'm excited as I enter my senior year to set a goal to raise $3420 ($3500) which will make my total donation over the past four years $12,000.

Here's information about the past fund raisers:

2021: Ninth Grade/15-year-old Birthday – Donation for Macomb High School to support the Guidance Counselors and the mental health of students - total donated $2645. Supported the Wellness Week Speaker – Caleb Campbell.

2022: Tenth Grade/16-year-old Birthday – Donation for Macomb High School to support the Guidance Counselors and the mental health of students – total donated $2800. This money was used to pay for the Keynote Speaker, April Hernandez-Castillo.

2023: Eleventh Grade/17-year-old Birthday – Donation for Macomb High School for support the Guidance Counselors and the mental health of students – total donated $3135. This money was used to pay for the Keynote Speaker during Wellness Week – Internationally known speaker: Jordan Toma

Total for the past 3 years = $8580

This year’s goal is $3420 ($3500) for a total of $12,000 donated to MHS during my time there. Please help me make a difference in the lives of the "Covid Generation" and all of those at Macomb High School! Together we can be the change!