Leah Davis gave a senior project speech about organizing a fundraising effort to help a family in need. She researched how nonprofits were affected by the economy and found it was a difficult time. Her project raised funds through donation jars at local businesses, bake sales, and yard sales. She also wrote letters to churches. Some churches donated money or supplies after she spoke about her efforts. A local newspaper wrote an article about her project, bringing more donations. With the funds raised, she was able to pay for activities and meals for the family, as well as household supplies and furniture donated by others. Through this challenge, Leah grew more confident in public speaking and learned she is capable of making a difference.

1. Leah Davis
Corbett
AP Literature
3/30/12
Senior Project Speech
Have you ever wanted to make a difference yet felt as though, alone, you would never be
able to? Ever since I was a young girl I have had a passion for helping others; but I always
thought it impossible for me to make a difference on my own. My project is a missionary
endeavor to help a family in financial need.
Since I would be raising funds through donations, I chose to research how the economy
has affected nonprofit organizations and how they have overcome many obstacles. Through my
research I found that nonprofits only fair as well as the economy, so I knew this was going to be
a difficult task.
My product today is a presentation of the donations and expenditures that shows the flow
of money involved in my journey. I entitled my project “Do Unto Others” from the Bible verse
Matthew 25:40. This verse tells us that whatever we do unto others, good or evil, God will again
do unto us. I found this encouraging since, even if I was not able to obtain my goal for this
family, God still saw my efforts as a good deed.
The process began by finding my Project Facilitator, Mrs. Nichelle Stewart. I went to her
because she is extremely active in the community and is experienced in organizing fundraisers.
She first connected me with Mrs. Susanna Brooks, a Free Home Elementary Counselor, who
then assigned me a family. This family consists of a single mother and three children. The family

2. lived in Florida where a hurricane destroyed their belongings. They were forced to move here to
live with the children’s grandmother. I then decided to help this family with Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and basic household supplies.
My first idea to gain donations was through donation jars. Mrs. Nichelle allowed me to
borrow some of her jars. We washed the jars and added labels to them with information about
my project. I then asked businesses throughout the community if I could leave a jar at that
location. This was where the trouble for me began. I am a quiet person so asking these people for
help was slightly outside of my comfort zone. I was able to overcome this obstacle and placed
jars in eight locations around the community. Little did I know, however, the trouble had just
begun.
I held a bake sale at Traditions as well as a yard sale at my grandmother’s house in order
to attain funds. I created a sign advertising my project, which helped my comfort, but I knew I
would still have to communicate with people. It took me some time to step up but I gradually
began greeting people and telling them about the family myself, instead of letting the sign do the
talking. Eventually, I was able to stand up and move away from the comfort of my display. Once
I stepped out of my comfort zone, some people began donating money without taking anything. I
was surprised at how successful these events were as well as at how much I had grown as a
person.
Another way I attempted to acquire donations was by writing letters to churches. This,
shockingly, was unsuccessful. I only heard back from a fifth of the churches that I contacted,
although, the ones that did respond were exceptionally helpful. Hightower Baptist Church invited
me to make a speech about my efforts. This was another stretch for me, but I was rewarded with
an unexpected donation from the church after my speech. Another church, Lighthouse Baptist

3. Church, invited me to participate in a food scavenger hunt with their youth. They told me of their
goal to donate a box of food to the family; however, they ended up giving me two boxes to take
to the family. A few other churches sent me money as well as other much needed supplies.
As I began getting money together in order to buy items for the family, another surprise
arose. Somehow, The Cherokee Tribune received word of my project. I was contacted for a
phone interview. This was another difficult encounter for me, but the lady was exceedingly nice
and supportive. Also, to the children’s and my enjoyment, a photo shoot was set up. More
donations came flowing in after the article was released.
Once I received all of my donations, it was time to support the family. My first action
was to pay for the children to go to Farm Camp at Rockin’ S Farms, otherwise known as my
Project Facilitator’s house. The children learned all about farming and even won a rabbit while
there.
Next, I intended to buy Halloween costumes for the children. I was blessed with a
donation of the costumes instead. After this, I paid for their Thanksgiving meal. Since the family
is Cuban, I decided to buy them a Kroger Gift Card so that they could buy the food they wanted.
My last mission was to help with Christmas. I was again blessed with donations of Christmas
gifts, but I bought some gifts of my own with the money I received. Also, I bought wrapping
paper and boxes. In order to allow the mother to enjoy shopping for her children, I gave her some
of the money as well.
With the leftover money I was able to pay a power bill for the family along with some
household and school supplies. Just when I thought there was nothing more that I could expect
from the community, I received another blessing. A local family contacted me and was willing to
donate some of their old, well-kept furniture to the family. They supplied a couch, recliner,

4. tables, washing machine, and a dryer. My dad and I picked up the furniture and delivered it to
the family I was helping.
Through this process I have learned not to let my quietness or the fact that I am a young
person stop me. This project has helped me grow as a person by allowing me to understand that I
have the strength to do anything. I do not think that I would enjoy a career in which I would have
to fundraise, but I do know that I will continue to look for ways to improve the lives of others. I
hope that you will join me by finding a task that is bigger than you and putting yourself aside to
make a difference. Thank you. Are there any questions?