Waves of Aid hosted their first fundraiser for SEWA International in collaboration with the CHS Rock Club last Saturday, Feb. 15. The organizers and DECA members Bella Averilla and Sahana Sivakumar raised around $1200 to go towards Hurricane Helene and Milton relief for their Community Giving Project.
“We’re raising funds for Hurricane Milton relief,” Averilla said. “We chose this nonprofit because we have heard about the environmental work they’ve done in Houston and wanted to help and learn more about the service they offer.”
Part of the pair’s motivation for taking on this non-profit was also their own experience living through Hurricane Beryl and empathy for those affected by Hurricane Helene.
“We couldn’t even begin to imagine how devastating the category five hurricane coupled with the other hurricane could have been in Florida,” Sivakumar said. “We saw pictures of the impact…literally entire houses were destroyed.”
Because this was their first project, Sivakumar and Averilla said that the two ran into a few issues while planning the talent show: having to troubleshoot weather conditions, fix scheduling issues and notably communicating with outside sources complicated the situation for the pair.
“It was a really stressful process, but when we realized communication was the root cause of our problems we worked through them [and] ensured our team was updated,” Averilla said.
Despite their fair share of hiccups during the process, Averilla shares that this experience has really enlightened her.
“I chose this [project] specifically because personally, I wanted to develop skills in management and communication and throughout this process, I have really learned a lot,” Averilla said.
Although it is unclear what will happen with Waves of Aid in the future, Sivakumar and Averilla both say that they’re considering taking on more projects in the future.
“I plan to do more fundraiser work in the future outside of school,” Averilla said “I currently have my eyes on a non profit called Disabled American Veterans, which helps veterans readjust to everyday life. I will definitely consider doing another Community Giving Project again for this non profit in the future.”
DT • Feb 26, 2025 at 8:52 am
Really informative about the event. The quotes help move the story forward and help my understanding. Use of metaphors and vocabulary gives an easy and entertaining read.
Andria • Feb 25, 2025 at 8:47 am
The enthusiasm of Bella Averilla and Sahana Sivakumar in planning such a creative fundraiser is beautifully displayed in this piece. I thought it was great how you emphasized their reasons, particularly their sympathy for having gone through Hurricane Beryl, which gave the story a deeper level of significance. You made it evident that they gained a lot of knowledge from the process in spite of the issues.
Kayle • Feb 25, 2025 at 8:13 am
This article goes into detail about how hard the kids worked and the great efforts they put into Crescendo. It also shares the thoughts and experiences of people involved in DECA. Additionally i think it highlights how the community came together to help those affected by hurricane Milton after it destroyed many homes.
Syed • Feb 25, 2025 at 8:04 am
Waves of Aid held their first fundraiser on Feb. 15 with the CHS Rock Club. Where they raised $1,200 for Hurricane Helene and Milton relief. The organizers Bella Averilla and Sahana Sivakumar plan to support more causes in the future to help their communities.
Tisha • Feb 25, 2025 at 7:58 am
I think this fundraiser by Waves of Aid was really sweet, especially with collaborating with the CHS Rock Club, it’s actually really awesome to read on what they’ve accomplished. I appreciate the fact that they are helping hurricane survivors because, even now, survivors are still suffering from damage.
Nilofar • Feb 25, 2025 at 7:20 am
Your article does a great job showing how Waves of Aid and the CHS Rock Club worked together. It is really nice to see students planning events to help others, like SEWA International. You explained the fundraiser well, and it makes people want to join and support good causes.
Kainat • Feb 24, 2025 at 2:24 pm
This article does a fantastic job of showcasing the passion and determination of Bella Averilla and Sahana Sivakumar in organizing such an impactful fundraiser. I really appreciated how you highlighted their personal motivations, especially their empathy from experiencing Hurricane Beryl, which added a meaningful layer to the story. You clearly showed that despite the challenges, they learned a lot from the process.
Aleeza • Feb 24, 2025 at 2:24 pm
This story shows great insight on Waves of Aid, the story shows a detailed description of what the fundraiser is for and who helped out. The story also gives many quotes on the people that contributed to the fundraiser, giving recognition to the students who helped out.
Aiza • Feb 24, 2025 at 2:22 pm
It’s inspiring to see Bella and Sahana use their personal experiences to make such a positive impact through their fundraiser! Although they faced challenges, they persevered and successfully raised funds for a worthy cause. Their dedication and growth communication skills will definitely help them in future projects.
ahad • Feb 24, 2025 at 2:22 pm
The article does a really good job in going in detail about how the kids worked really hard and put effort in crescendo. Also mention the thoughts about people in DECA. To add on they also talk about how the people helped out individuals after Hurricane Milton destroyed peoples homes etc.
Keya • Feb 24, 2025 at 2:21 pm
This story does a great job showing the issues and problems of what they went through to make a great show. The quotes really helped enhance the story and make it sound better. This article is also really well written because it also helps bring awareness to the people in Florida.
Andre • Feb 24, 2025 at 2:15 pm
This story effectively showcases the commitment and effort of Bella and Sahana in organizing a successful fundraiser for a meaningful cause. Their perseverance in overcoming obstacles and their genuine passion for supporting those impacted by Hurricane Helene is evident throughout. The article is thoughtfully written, and it’s truly inspiring to witness students from our school making a positive impact on their community.
Karim • Feb 24, 2025 at 9:34 am
This story does a great job highlighting the dedication and hard work of Bella and Sahana in organizing a successful fundraiser for a worthy cause. Their determination to overcome challenges and their passion for helping those affected by Hurricane Helene really shows through. The article is well written, and it’s inspiring to see young people or people in our school making a difference in their community.
. • Feb 24, 2025 at 8:57 am
The authors did a great job conveying the activities of the fundraiser alongside the project or nonprofit goal that was worked towards. Additionally, they did a good job including the thoughts of various individuals in DECA and the organizers. The last paragraph is also informative as it discusses future projects the organizers might be initiating.