The local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a
fraternal organization devoted to community service, donated $5,000
to San Benito High School to fund the school’s annual Challenge
Day, an event aimed at helping at-risk youth.
”
It gives students the opportunity to talk about all the stuff
that people don’t usually talk about,
”
said event organizer and SBHS Scholarship Adviser Jeanie
Churchill.
”
It’s a powerful day, a lot of emotions are released.
”
Hollister – The local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal organization devoted to community service, donated $5,000 to San Benito High School to fund the school’s annual Challenge Day, an event aimed at helping at-risk youth.
“It gives students the opportunity to talk about all the stuff that people don’t usually talk about,” said event organizer and SBHS Scholarship Adviser Jeanie Churchill. “It’s a powerful day, a lot of emotions are released.”
Challenge Day happens nationwide, with events planned for October 2005 and January 2006. Specific dates have not been scheduled. The day-long program is designed to help students overcome the challenges they face in their personal and academic lives.
San Benito High School first participated in Challenge Day in 1999 and has continued the program ever since. Each year about 100 local high school students and 50 community members participate in the event, Churchill said.
“If a student feels good about themselves then they will feel good about working and supporting the community,” Churchill said. “It challenges them to open their minds and hearts and find peace within themselves.”
The SBHS event was originally funded by a state grant, but for the last two years the I.O.O.F. has picked up the tab.
“We like to benefit the local community,” said Gary Goularte, president of the local I.O.O.F. chapter. “And this absolutely, positively had to be done.”
Originally started in England, the I.O.O.F. moved to Baltimore in 1819. It is dedicated to burying the dead, visiting the sick, relieving the distressed and educating orphaned children.
Goularte said that members of his organization decided to fund the event after experiencing the Challenge Day program themselves.
I.O.O.F. Warden Bernie Ramirez participated as an adult mentor in last year’s Challenge Day at the high school. Ramirez said that he was able to personally relate to the some things the student participants had gone through.
“It helped me just as much as it helped them,” Ramirez said. “It felt good to make an impact on their lives.”
The I.O.O.F. decided to fund the event again next year because of the great response they received from the event.
“The main goal of the event is to let kids know that they are not alone,” Ramirez said. “To let them know that someone is always there for them.”
Yvonne and Rich Dutra St. John organized the first Challenge Day in 1987. The non-profit Challenge Day organization was created 14 years later.
Churchill is currently working to establish a Challenger’s Club at the high school to give students support year round. She is also planning to move the event to the junior high level.
“As long as we can get funding we will continue to hold Challenge Day,” Churchill said.
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com.
