Niwot Elementary Children's Book & Art Sale breaks record

This past Wednesday, Niwot Elementary School hosted its 12th annual Children's Book and Art Sale to benefit The Mwebaza Foundation, a local non-profit started in 2008 by the school's first-grade teacher, Dale Peterson. Each year, this fundraiser garners donations from parents, students, and visitors from used children's book sale purchases. What set this year apart was the inclusion of children's art, made and donated by students from all grade levels at Niwot Elementary.

The Niwot Elementary Mwebaza Club members ran the entire event, from inception to finish. Prior to the event, Mwebaza Club volunteers created and donated much of the for-donation artwork, made and hung up signs advertising the sale, sorted books, and more. During the sale, these student volunteers waved signs to attract guests, set up hundreds of books, ran the cashier stations, and acted as "docents" guiding parents to their children's artwork. Volunteers worked in shifts so everyone who wanted to participate had the chance. Students were eager to help and their energy was contagious.

Peterson noted, "What made the event most exciting for us was having the Niwot Elementary Mwebaza Club members running the event. Watching the students jump in and work together moving all of those tables was inspiring. The children were so enthusiastic and hard-working, and it was clear that they enjoyed the opportunity to make a difference for others through service."

After the sale, even more students and parent volunteers came for the final push to pack away unsold books, consolidate what little was left of the student artwork, and pack away tables, signs, and additional event materials. Peterson noted that this was the quickest set up and break down in the fundraiser's history, in large part due to the numerous student and parent volunteers willing to lend a helping hand wherever necessary.

The fundraiser was a swimming success and made approximately $2,700 - $3,000, which is over $1,000 more than last year's event. The money raised will go to directly support the construction of a teacher home at one of the foundation's sister schools in Uganda. Typically, teacher salaries in Uganda are low and schools provide housing on or off premise. Because of St. Paul's rural location, the school has difficulty attracting and retaining teachers. They must pay teacher rent off premise and educators still have to commute daily to and from the school. With a teacher home on location, the school will be better equipped to hire and retain qualified teachers, leading to less turnover and a more stable education for its students.

The students at each Colorado partner schools continuously work to build and foster their partnerships with their Ugandan sister schools. The Children's Book and Art Sale was a testament to the selfless nature of the Niwot community. Its parents, students, teachers, and staff worked tirelessly to ensure the fundraiser was a success, and it certainly was.