“They were talking about meetings and about what Thrive was doing and I thought it was interesting,” Hill said. “They’re making a big impact and I wanted to be a part of it. I’ve enjoyed being in Thrive this year.”
Though it won’t be as mission-driven during the summer as it is when school is in session, the Thrive Youth Council would like to explore more fundraising opportunities, as well as make its pitch to more organizations.
“Every single pitch the kids have given has a 100 percent success rate,” Gina Gabel said. “They have a story and they love telling it.”
Support has been received from Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, Grosse Pointe Rotary Club, Soroptimist Club of Grosse Pointe and American Association of University Women of Grosse Pointe, among other individual donors and through fundraising pages.
Hill, along with her classmates Aubrey Lindow and Ava McMillin, were able to secure a $1,000 donation by convincing their economics classmates that Thrive was an organization worthy of their donation.
“We have fundraising pages set up, but we’d love to give more pitches during summer too,” Alice Gabel said.
Getting meals to students on Dawahon Islet is the youth council’s main project.
“Dawahon is an island that was used as a landfill,” Alice Gabel said. “People built on top of it makeshift houses.”
During her last visit, she said, everyone in the community came out to welcome and thank their guests from Thrive.
“It really showed us that the meals Thrive provides don’t just impact the schools; the whole community is impacted,” she said.
“Because this community is so generous, we used to feed 200 kids at that school,” Gina Gabel added. “Now we’re able to add another 200 kids at the school. Our goal was to feed the entire school, so that’s what we’re doing now.”
She noted that a lot of Grosse Pointe parents are trying to teach their children that there’s a world beyond Grosse Pointe.
“There are a lot of needs that need to be met that are easy to solve if you’re in the position to do that,” she added.
Members of the Thrive Youth Council are finding all sorts of ways to bring in donations. Some hosted lemonade stands during their elementary school vears – before the council was even formed – and others ask for donations to Thrive in lieu of birthday presents.
“When you see kids understanding the importance of this work enough to say instead of buying me a gift, I want you to feed a kid, it’s remarkable,” Gina Gabel said. “It’s an easy way for kids to get involved.”
Added her daughter, “When you’re a kid, you want to help other kids. It’s relatable. We’re just more fortunate, so we need to help. We come from a really privileged area in the United States of America and we’re connecting with kids from impoverished parts of Asia, but there are still so many similarities.”
“The global issue of childhood hunger feels super overwhelming, but when you break it down into meaningful chunks, it costs $120 to feed a child for a year,” Gina Gabel said. “It’s a meaningful contribution that makes a difference… I love that piece of the program, that is so relatable to all ages.
It’s cool to present youth with this really huge problem and show them it’s not that hard to solve it.”
With a first-year tournament under their belt, Rock, Paper, Scissors organizers hope to come back stronger next vear with more event sponsors. In the meantime, donations are welcome.
“Any contributions, no matter how small, make a difference,” Alice Gabel said. “Instead of having pizza for dinner one night, you can feed a kid for a month.”
The Thrive Youth Council also is accepting new members. Anyone who wants to join may contact the group on Instagram @gothriveyouthcouncil or learn more at thrive-global.org.
