Community Garage Sales
This garage sale fundraiser held on March 24th and 25th, 2023, marked a milestone for the Hope in the Desert Foundation, as it was the first event specifically organized to raise funds for their noble mission. Led by Olivia Lu and Jaden Lu, the foundation curated a selection of items for sale that ranged from children’s books and toys to more substantial goods such as clothing and electronic devices. The pricing strategy was thoughtful, aimed at making the items accessible to a broad audience, with the intent to drive up sales and maximize fundraising potential.
This first fundraising endeavor proved to be a heartening triumph. Not only did the event provide an opportunity for the community to engage with the foundation’s cause, but it also significantly exceeded the expected financial goal, ultimately collecting over $400.
The success of this inaugural fundraiser is a testament to the community’s support and the effective organization by the foundation's leaders. It has set a positive and impactful precedent for the foundation's fundraising efforts. The funds raised are now a cornerstone for the foundation’s continued work and will contribute substantially to their ongoing mission: to enhance the educational opportunities for children in Arizona. The Foundation is now better equipped to invest in the necessary resources and programs to help children, thanks to the generous support and participation of the community in this first fundraising event.
Arizona Skate Club Bake Sale
Over a year, Olivia and her team at the Glendale Arizona Skate Club organized over ten successful bake sales, featuring a variety of homemade treats and garnering substantial community support. These efforts, including kind donations, resulted in raising over $4000, far surpassing expectations.
The funds were used to support young skaters in the club, enabling those facing financial hardships to compete at the 2023 American Artistic Roller Skating National Championships. It gave them the chance to take their skills to the national stage, to shine, and to compete with other young individuals from across the globe. It was about more than just sports; it was about making dreams a reality and showing these kids that their community stands behind them, ready to support their aspirations.
Collaboration with Non-Profit AZStRUT
After Olivia and Jaden dedicated a few months volunteering with AzStRUT, an organization focused on refurbishing and donating tech devices to nonprofits and under-resourced schools, he formed a strong connection with their manager. This relationship led to an innovative collaboration between our foundation, Hope in the Desert, and AzStRUT. The idea was straightforward yet impactful: AzStRUT would provide us with a number of gently used or new devices, and in turn, we would install our self-developed STEM study app (see Highlight) on each device before distributing them to children who lacked access to such educational resources.
Furthermore, to support this initiative financially, we listed our app on the Google Play Store at $4.99 per download. This strategy not only helped us raise funds but also extended the reach of our educational tool to a wider audience. The collaboration between our two organizations has been a continual effort to raise money and provide valuable educational support. As of now, this joint fundraiser has brought us close to $200. While this might seem modest, it's a significant step towards helping children and families who were previously unaware of the potential benefits of a study app like ours. Through this partnership, we're not just providing technology; we're opening doors to new learning opportunities for many young learners.
