$10 campaign benefits foster children

Posted January 2021

By Sergio Valles

Staff Editor

The $10 campaign, also known around the country as Ten for Teens, is a program that donates $10 gift cards to DDHS foster kids, organized by ELA teacher Michelle Wood.

“In 2016, I read an article online about a group organizing donations for gift cards for teens in foster care called Ten for Teens," said Wood. "I thought that we probably have several of those students at DDHS, and wouldn't it be great if we could ensure that every student in foster care got a gift card and a note that said they were important and that we cared about them? So I started asking colleagues about it, and I was encouraged to get it rolling! There's no official name for this project at David Douglas; I usually call it the "$10 Campaign."

Wood pointed out that many amazing people have helped distribute the cards over the years, but this year she would like to give a shout-out to Nelly in the high school north office who made sure all the cards went out in the mail. Wood has been inspired by the small stories that have come back to her and kept her continue the program.

“Donations are ALWAYS welcome," said Wood. "Sometimes people collect donations from their friends, families, or clubs and can donate a larger amount with a group.”

The goal is always $1,000 so that the $10 Campaign can provide 100 students $10 gift cards. This year they raised almost $2,000.

“With so much going on in the world, it feels good to be able to do this one small thing and hope it makes a positive impact in someone's life,” said Wood.

Even though the program is mainly facilitated between Thanksgiving and Winter Break, if anyone wants to contribute to the they can always contact Wood at michelle_wood@ddsd40.org.