“Look at those checks — 102k, 180k, 200k, 209k — the list just goes on,” my friend exclaimed in our freshman year. I remember being mesmerized by those numbers, yet as a young boy, I took no more from this statement than just a pile of money. However, in hindsight, I have come to realize the true impact and story behind each one.
When I first heard of Enloe Student Council, I expected it to be a plain organization that occasionally hosted volunteering opportunities with no clear purpose. However, when I joined the council in my sophomore year, I found myself discovering new things about the organization at every meeting, with a notable turning point being the goal to fundraise. At the time, my brain couldn’t comprehend how we could raise $186,000 in only a couple of months, but I saw the shared passion among all members and realized this was more than the typical Student Council I had imagined.
After this, I dedicated myself to the Enloe Charity Ball. I went from attending the Monday meetings solely to see all of my friends to asking my class if I could have their parents’ emails to potentially get a donation. When we reached our goal during the Enloe Charity Ball dance, I couldn’t wait to start the next chapter with the rest of the members in fundraising for another beneficiary to see our impact happen again. Fast forward to the present, and I am delighted to support this year’s beneficiary, Note In The Pocket, as I have seen the results of what hard work brings. Being part of Student Council has turned from what I expected to be a chore into something that I truly love advocating for, and I am excited to see how our story unravels!
Ian Lee