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?

[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.

[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.

[jenparakeet.livejournal.com]

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

[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.

[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.

[raucousraven.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the heads-up on this.

[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!

[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*)

[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!!

[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.