West Bloomfield DECA Friends on Wheels Fundraiser

West Bloomfield, Michigan; December 26, 2018– West Bloomfield High School DECA held a Friends on Wheels fundraiser to raise funding for transportation for Friendship Circle of Michigan to transport individuals with special needs. The fundraiser was held in conjunction with the high school varsity basketball game on Friday, December 21st between the Clarkston Wolves and the West Bloomfield Lakers held in the West Bloomfield High School gymnasium. The chapter raised close to $1,000 through event t-shirts, donations and a miracle minute challenge.

Friendship Circle of Michigan is a non-profit organization with the goal of providing every individual with special needs the support friendship and inclusion. They provide assistance to 3,000 individuals with special needs and their families by providing social, educational and vocational programming.

West Bloomfield High School DECA students Zach Crawford, Abigayle Schell and Sarah Tomkovicz have worked diligently since the fall on their 2019 DECA Community Service project. In addition to DECA, Sarah is part of the high school LINK program working with students with special needs. Her enjoyment and the bonds she has created with her peers in the program prompted her to share her passion with her fellow DECA group members and chapter encouraging their involvement and excitement in this years' event. Together the chapter shared the teams' goal of helping to raise funding for transportation allowing Friendship Circle to transport individuals to and from programs held at the local location in West Bloomfield.

The students held two events to not only raise funding, but to also educate students in the district, staff members and the local community regarding individuals with special needs. The first event was held on November 18, 2018 and was open to the public. Students in the district and community members were invited to Friendship Circle to where they experienced everyday simulations providing them insight into how daily tasks may be for those with special needs. This was followed up with a speech by a student volunteer and game that allowed participants to experience what it would be like to interact with a speech impediment. Participants were allowed to give feedback and ask questions at the end.

About West Bloomfield High School DECA
West Bloomfield High School has one of the largest DECA chapters in Michigan. Over 250 students participate in this club each year. It has the largest membership of any club at West Bloomfield High School.
DECA is an International Competitive Business Organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in four fields of business: marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. The West Bloomfield High School DECA chapter integrates classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business, and promotes competition to prepare the next generation to be academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, and experienced leaders.
Students enrolled in any class taught by one of our DECA Advisors may participate. Course options include - Marketing, Advanced Marketing, Growing Your Own Business, Accounting, Finance, Fashion I and II, AP Macro and AP Micro Economics.
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Julie Zalla
248-865-6720
julie.zalla@wbsd.org