Students at San Benito High School have found a way to have fun
and at the same time help an ailing Hollister resident.
Students at San Benito High School have found a way to have fun and at the same time help an ailing Hollister resident.
Friday’s SBHS Benefit Ball is an annual event put on by the Associated Student Body. Each year the 32-member ASB organizes a benefit drive for the dance and donates the proceeds to one person with a need. The dance will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight in O’Donnell Gym, Monterey Street and Nash Road.
“We’re looking to get good community support,” said Juan Robledo, SBHS director of student activities.
Proceeds from this year’s dance will go to Ross McLaughlin, a local man with diabetes and kidney failure.
“Because of (McLaughlin) not being able to work, the family has gone through a foreclosure and can’t even afford the first and last month’s rent,” Robledo said. “We want to give some help and make it a little bit easier.”
The event was called the “Cheap Dance” when it started in 1995 because admission was only $2. In 1996 the ASB raised money for Brent Evans, a student at the time who suffered from cancer.
Evans died two years ago, but the tradition of helping someone in the community has continued.
The week after the dance, students will collect pledges from sponsors and the ASB will then present McLaughlin with a check.
Amy Abbass, a junior, and senior Phoebe Bachofer are spearheading the benefit drive as co-commissioners of community services.
“They’re the ones doing all the communications of the students,” Robledo said.
Tara Wynn, a junior who’s helping to organize the dance, said the group has worked on the event for almost four weeks.
“We feel like it’s important to get involved in the community and help out,” Wynn said. “A dance is a good way to raise money.”
For more information or to learn how to make a donation, call 637-5831 ext. 351 or 352. Checks should be made out to either Ross McLaughlin or San Benito High School.
“This is a very generous community,” Robledo said. “And the kids just feel better when they help the community.”
