I am all about a good cause.

[hackthis_archive]

Every year around this time (when the tax rebates come in), I tend to put together a charities post, in hopes that maybe if somebody has a few dollars lying about that they haven't spent on beer that they might consider donating to some of my favorites (Planned Parenthood, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS, Susan Komen Breast Cancer, Habitat for Humanity are just a few). This year, though, I know times are tough financially for a lot of people, so instead of shilling for all the big charities, I'm going to ask you to consider donating to just one person.

Sharron Pearson is a high school student at Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles and she has been accepted to attend the Oxford Tradition to study drama and *creative writing*. Yes, that Oxford. Yes, that one in England. Yes, to do WRITING.

Her scholarship covers room and board and food, but it doesn't include airfare and miscellaneous. And so her school is accepting donations on her behalf, because her family can't afford to send her. They're hoping to raise $2,500, and I'm not looking at anybody to donate the whole or even 10%, but if you could donate 1% ($25) or even 0.5% ($12.50), every little bit helps.

If you've ever travelled away from home, or wanted to, if you've ever thought about what it would be like to be given an opportunity to improve your life for the better, I hope you'll consider donating. I've seen what fandom can do when it's inspired, I hope you'll feel a little inspired.

Inquiries on how to donate can be sent to Crenshaw High School Assistant Principal Paul Scibetta at: pscibett@lausd.net ETA: They've reached their desired $2,500, but are still accepting donations, which can be sent to:

The Sherron Pearson Scholarship Fund
Crenshaw High School, Attn: Paul Scibetta,
5010 11th Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90043

Comments

[mydocuments.livejournal.com]

This is incredibly cool. May I repost in my own journal?

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Absolutely.

[zoniduck.livejournal.com]

What an awesome kid! I emailed to see about how to donate. Shit, fandom would be able to raise that much in a day or two.

Also? I think it's kinda bullshit for them to stop taking donations when they get to $2,500. Give the kid some spending money too, for fucks sake! Nobody should be broke for their big trip to London.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Also? I think it's kinda bullshit for them to stop taking donations when they get to $2,500. Give the kid some spending money too, for fucks sake! Nobody should be broke for their big trip to London.

LOL. Well, I definitely agree with that last bit, but I suppose they don't want it to seem as though they're being extravagant or anything.

[mydocuments.livejournal.com]

I thought the same thing. No one should go to England without spending money. But then again, unless airfare has went up considerably since I've last flown (very possible), maybe it won't be the whole $2500 for her plane tickets? Maybe that's to give her a couple hundred to spend too?

[mydocuments.livejournal.com]

Just checked. It's only about $600-$800 to fly LAX to Heathrow, so hopefully she gets some spending money too!

[jenparakeet.livejournal.com]

She does! The article mentions it:

Sharron figures she will need about $2,500 to cover the costs of round-trip airfare and spending money over the course of the program, which is funded by New York-based Oxbridge Academic Programs.

[randomeliza.livejournal.com]

Thanks for linking this! I've sent an email. I know how going to the UK for uni changed my life, and I can only imagine what she'll experience at the Oxford Tradition. It's incredible to be accepted - she deserves to go.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I agree with everything you said.

[jenparakeet.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing this. 1% will not hurt.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I don't want to tell people what to give, if they're giving at all that's pretty impressive to me.

[jenparakeet.livejournal.com]

Ack, should've clarified. It won't hurt me personally.

[suaine.livejournal.com]

I sent them an email. I really have very little to spare right now, but there is something incredibly important about making it possible for a brilliant kid like that to take a chance on life.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

I know times are rough for everybody, so thanks for offering :)

[nebt-het.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for posting this..I have forwarded it to co-workers and posted it on my Facebook as well.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

That's great!

[raucousraven.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the heads-up on this.

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

Welcome!

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

Gah, I wish we still had funding for the fictionalley scholarship (http://www.fictionalley.org/scholarship/) this year, but even last year it wasn't fully funded and we awarded three anyway.

Thanks for posting about this - am off to be personally helpful!

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

:)

[yetunknown.livejournal.com]

she seems so cool and collected about it all. oh, and I posted this in my LJ. that's okay, right?

(also, 4.2 GPA. *boggles*)

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

By all means, spread the news!

[starfishchick]

They have the money - she is now able to make the trip. People can still contribute for additional expenses, same contact as you mentioned.

YAY!!

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

That's awesome, how did you find that out? Did they e-mail you?

[starfishchick]

Yes!

Thank you for your desire to assist in the purchase of the airline ticket for Sherron Pearson to go to London to attend Oxford University this summer. We have reached our goal and she is now able to make the trip. Some people have asked if they can still contribute for additional expenses. If you so desire you can make your contribution out to "The Sherron Pearson Scholarship Fund" and send it to Crenshaw High School, 5010 11th Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90043

[hackthis.livejournal.com]

LOL! I just got my e-mail two minutes before you comment arrived and amended my post accordingly.

[starfishchick]

Heh, great timing!

[spasticat.livejournal.com]

So cool that she's getting this money for her time abroad. In college I was gifted the transportation cost to get to and from Italy by a family whose son was in the same art program. He died before graduating and they set up the fund for struggling art students.