Schools of Wellness Initiative Students Gain National Attention for Refusing to Sell Candy for School Trip
March 2006 — It was a sweet and simple idea: Sell candy and potato chips to raise money for field trips to Washington, D.C., and Tallahassee.
But 19 North Side Elementary students participating in the Schools of Wellness Initiative saw the irony in the plan, and put their collective feet down.
Now in its second year, the Schools of Wellness Initiative is a program designed to teach the importance of nutrition and exercise to Broward and Palm Beach County 4th and 5th grade students. It was developed by Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, North Broward Hospital District, YMCA of Palm Beach County, and Broward and Palm Beach County school boards, and was funded in part by a matching grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in partnership with local funding from the Children's Services Council of Broward County, Health Foundation of South Florida and the Quantum Foundation.
As part of their ongoing lessons, Schools of Wellness Initiative participants learn why they should avoid calorie- and fat-laden fast foods, snack foods, candies and desserts. So, when students were asked to sell these types of items to classmates, some were concerned.
"If they tell us to not to eat junk food and then after school we sell it, that disobeys what they taught us," says Daphnie, the 10-year-old who started the candy-sale boycott. "I'm happy because people won't get fat. But I'm sad because how are we going to get the money to go on our field trip?"
Daphnie's teacher, Ms. Manigat, says her class of 19 gifted 4th and 5th graders was in charge of the fundraiser for 72 students who planned to go on the field trips. Other attempts to raise funds, such as organizing car washes, were unsuccessful
Sweet Success
As of Thursday, February 2, the 4th graders still needed $5,000 for a three-day trip to St. Augustine and Tallahassee in April. The 5th graders needed $12,000 for a weeklong trip to Williamsburg, Va., and Washington, D.C.
The following day, their story made local and national headlines. Little Daphnie and her classmates and teacher told their story in the Sun-Sentinel, on NBC6 and Channel 10 News, on ABC News radio, on CNN News radio and other media. Calls and e-mails poured in from around the world. Personal donations, including a $6,000 check from an anonymous donor, came in, too.
And a few days later, a visit to North Side Elementary by Veronica Atkins resulted in a $16,000 matching challenge grant check from the Robert C. Atkins Foundation. Atkins, who lives in West Palm Beach, is the widow of the late Dr. Robert C. Atkins, founder of the low-carb Atkins Diet.
"It's a win-win situation for our students," says Cathy Whitt, Broward County Coordinator of the Schools of Wellness Initiative at Memorial Healthcare System. "They learned the lesson of good nutrition, as well as the lesson of standing by one's principles. We're thrilled that Schools of Wellness Initiative had such a major influence on these students."