Passion lives in Iowa

Members of the Harlan (Iowa) Community Middle School Builders Club prove their school has passion year in and year out. Club members recently completed their third annual fundraising drive for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, collecting more than US$330 from students, faculty, and staff. The total brings the amount the club has raised for the society during the past four years to more than $2,000.

With their “Passion Lives Here” wall in the background, Builders Club members proudly display the results of their efforts on behalf of those who have leukemia and lymphoma.

Builders Club members do a terrific job of educating their fellow students about leukemia and lymphoma, which Kristine “Kris” Olson Harmon, guidance counselor and club advisor, believes is why they are so successful in raising money for the cause.

“Daily during the drive, our Builders Club members would read a biography of a young leukemia or lymphoma patient over the school intercom,” Kris explains. “These biographies created an understanding and purpose for the drive. Donations were recorded on our ‘Passion Lives Here’ wall by placing hearts with donors’ names. Names and pictures of the young patients were placed on the wall as well.”

Kris adds that the school “adopted” its own person honor patient, and students were encouraged to write letters to her.

“Yes,” she says, “passion lives here at Harlan Community Middle School.”