Fundraiser Aids Students' Trip to Dominican Republic

Two dozen Upper St. Clair High school students, teachers, and others will host a fundraiser Friday to raise money for an upcoming humanitarian trip to the Dominican Republic. 

At 6:30pm, a silent auction will be held in the theater lobby of the Upper St. Clair High School. Artwork, services, and gift baskets will be up for bid. The auction will continue until halftime of the USC vs. Norwin football game. 

The money raised will help fund work by The Kids Helping Kids Outreach Team, which makes the trip once a year to help with construction projects, work with children and bring money, medicine, and clothing. 

“It’s a life changing experience for young people who have not been exposed to the harsh reality of poverty in some of the poorest regions on earth,” said social studies teacher Keera Dwulit, who is making her second trip with the group. 

23 juniors and seniors, along with doctors, a dentist, 5 teachers and several other members of the community will travel to the Dominican Republic the week before Thanksgiving. 

Dwulit said at least two days would be spent working with young children in an orphanage. “It’s service, medicine, and humanitarian relief all rolled into one.” 

Everyone who is going pays for his or her own transportation, lodging, and meals. The money raised at the auction will be used to pay for any materials needed for the various service projects.  

Dwulit said the students learn lessons impossible to teach in the classroom.

“They come back and they’re inspired to do this kind of work and keep a connection with the world around them,” she said. “Some even start their own groups in college and make similar trips.”