Your FEF Donation Makes a Difference

The great thing about volunteering for the Ferndale Education Foundation is not only do you raise money for a great cause, you have many opportunities to see how that money is spent, right here in our community. I recently was able to participate in a program that used FEF dollars.

Students in the DECA branch . DECA is a student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. At the conference, students from throughout metro Detroit made presentations individually or in teams for volunteer judges. I was a judge in the Food Marketing category. 

One other judge and I role-played a work situation with 13 students. Each participant was given a few minutes to read the situation and prepare their pitch. I played the manager of a pizzeria and the student played an employee tasked with making a marketing proposal to me. 

All I could do was think about how lucky these kids were to get this experience so early in their young careers. The students I saw had a range of abilities, and they will only get better as they continue in DECA. I was able to, through written evaluations, offer feedback about the basics of a work situation: good eye contact, organization, speaking clearly, don't chew gum in a meeting with your boss! These are life skills that don't always get attention in classes. DECA provides an opportunity for these students to improve themselves and prepare for their careers. 

University High School's DECA chapter came to the FEF last fall requesting a mini-grant to help them with the costs of this conference. The money that we raise throughout the year through events like this Thursday's dinner/auction at Boogie Fever, goes to projects like this. When you buy a raffle ticket, when you bid on an auction item, when you make a donation to FEF, these students benefit. Our mini-grants go to teachers throughout the district, for all grades.

You can read Patch's story about the DECA event . And please support our event by coming Thursday night or buying a few raffle tickets. Grand prize is $5,000. Click for details. And thanks for your support!

-Amy Butters, Ferndale Education Foundation board member