Febru-HAIRY, FCCLA’s next fundraiser, is a month-long beard growing competition. After selling caramel apples in the fall and making baby blankets for District 214 teen moms, FCCLA (Family, Community, Career Leaders of America) is trying to raise money for No Kids Hungry, an organization that helps children in need by providing them with nutritious foods.
“The way we’re going to raise money then is by doing Febru-HAIRY,” FCCLA Sponsor Kimmi Drendel said. “Each guy that does it has to pay a five dollar entry fee which covers part of their t-shirt, and then they raise money throughout the month.”
Throughout February, each person that participates in Febru-HAIRY is not allowed to shave. They can raise money by getting others to donate money during lunch on Fridays.
“Every Friday in the cafeteria, we’re going to have change jars for each person that is raising money, and you can vote for your favorite person and then that will win them prizes,” Drendel said. “There’s a lot of different prizes, there’s a money maker one, longest beard, shortest, fullest, most body, most colorful, so everybody actually ends of getting a fun type of award because it’s for fun more than anything.”
Other than Febru-HAIRY, FCCLA members are preparing for sectionals that will take place at Harper College on Feb. 22. There’s a variety of categories the members can compete in, ranging from food to fashion to story-telling. On average, there are 600 students competing at sectionals. Of the 70 Meadows club members, 30 will be competing.
“This year will be (junior) Alexandra Gueli’s and my third year competing together for the Fashion Apparel Display and the theme is back-to-school,” junior Klaudia Nieckarz said. “We’re both really excited and can’t wait because we always go all out. It’s really fun.”
FCCLA meets every other Wednesday. Students can still join and participate in club activities, but they can not compete in remaining competitions.
“When I started here, I had three kids in my first group of FCCLA, and the fact the we’re up to 80 in five years is just a really great feeling,” Drendel said. “I really feel inspired by all of the members and they really just makes me want to work a little harder for them too because they’re here and ready to work and that makes me want to work too.”