“Badger Hearts, I think, should be one of the most recognized programs at Amarillo College,” said member Ana Ibarra.
A recent fundraiser sponsored by Badger Hearts made about $400, enough to sponsor one teenager coming out of the foster system this year and starting college.
“Badger Hearts raise money and take donations for both their Hope Chest project and two annual scholarships that benefit area foster students who are aging out of the foster care system in May,” said Pamela George, an assistant professor of home economics.
“Upon graduation these students must find new places to live, so our group works to provide comforters, pillows, blankets, sheets, towels, pots, pans, silverware, glasses, fire extinguishers, tool kits and so on.”
Badger Hearts conducts fundraisers once a month to collect money for the cause.
According to George, the next event will be on either March 24 or March 25. The group will sell hotdogs, Frito pies and assorted baked goods.
“I love the program,”Ibarra said. “I love how they care; I love how hard they work.
“We all care about our students. We want to do anything we can and as much as we can.”
In April the organization will have a raffle to give away prizes, and Badger Hearts plans to host a car wash in May to aid in raising funds for the students the group sponsors annually. The number of students sponsored ranges from 12 to 20. Each person sponsored usually is allocated between $400 and $500.
“Many of our students are sponsored by individuals, groups here at AC or businesses in the community,” George said.
A banquet is scheduled for May 20 to recognize the sponsored students, who will receive their Hope Chests that night.
“I just love helping other people, and it gives me happiness,” said Dipika Bhakta.
“This is something Badger Hearts can do to help these kids out.”
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