OLCHS Student Club Raises $12K For COVID-19 Affected Businesses

OAK LAWN, IL — Oak Lawn Community High School’s student-lead service group “Cross Countries” coordinated a relief effort to benefit local Oak Lawn businesses. Since late April, the "Locked Down... But Not Out" virtual fundraiser has helped to raise money for village residents hit hardest by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative was centered around a GoFundMe campaign in partnership with the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce.

Unfortunately, the local business shutdown has affected many community members and their families. To support employees of these establishments during this difficult time, students from Oak Lawn Community High School undertook an enormous challenge. Although not physically able to meet, they came together to raise money for those in need. These dedicated difference-makers used social media, as well as an effective marketing strategy, to generate just over $6,000 in donations. The Oak Lawn Chamber then provided a matching gift to bring the overall total to $12,000.

Local businesses hoping to receive a portion of these proceeds were placed into a blind lottery. From this pool, four establishments were randomly selected. Each was gifted $3000 to provide their employees with some small measure of comfort and assistance. The Cross Countries Executive Board presented each business owner with their monetary award this past week. Recipients included Style 95 Barber Shop, Lyla Jewelers, AB Renovations, and Art Clay World USA.

Cross Countries is a student-led service group at Oak Lawn Community High School in Oak Lawn, Illinois. It was established in 2004. The club has raised over $250,000 to help fund local and global causes, including hospital construction overseas as well as homelessness and special needs awareness right here in our community!