A sixth grade student at Silver Spring Intermediate School in Sussex inspired her entire school community to donate more than $2100 to Children’s Wisconsin. The 11-year-old wrote a letter to her principal to ask if money collected during an annual school fundraiser could be given to the hospital to help young patients. On February 18, a representative from Children’s Wisconsin visited the school to personally thank the student and accept a check.
“I’m feeling really excited because I never thought my idea would actually come to life,” explains Silver Spring Intermediate School student Shivee Shukla. “I just thought it’s a fun way to state my opinion.” Shukla visited Children’s Wisconsin several years ago when she broke her wrist. She remembers the experience and wanted to find a way to help other children who need to visit the hospital.
Children’s Wisconsin Director of Events & Engagement Adrienne Koclanis had the opportunity to meet Shukla and presented her with a bouquet of flowers. “Shivee, on behalf of Children’s Wisconsin, thank you for your wonderful idea. When kids like you help other kids, you have a real impact on the entire state of Wisconsin,” explained Koclanis.
Penny wars ran February 10 -14. Students were invited to bring money into school and place the coins and cash into large plastic jars outside the school office. Silver Spring Intermediate School Associate Principal Susan Schramka made a school announcement to share the final amount raised.
“This is Associate Principal Ms. Schramka giving you an update on penny wars. Two-thousand, one-hundred and fifty-eight dollars were raised from our penny wars last week,” said Schramka during the school announcement. “This full amount will be donated to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin because of a letter submitted by Shivee Shukla to the principal. She advocated for us to be generous with the money raised from our penny wars.”
Shukla hopes her story will inspire other children her age to make a difference. “It’s not just like ‘oh, I’m in sixth grade. I can’t do anything,’” said Shukla. “Even if you are young, you can state your opinion and you can do something. Be the change you want to see.”