Help Send Kiera to San Francisco!

What...

Every year, Blaine Middle School in Blaine, WA sends a group of 8th graders on a trip to San Francisco, CA for 4 days.  This isn't a trip for every 8th grade student, the kids actually have to apply with 2 teacher recommendations and a one-page essay stating why they want to be picked to go on the trip.  There are pre-trip and post-trip assignments that the chosen students will be required to do, and they will also have to attend mandatory meetings.  Only 43 students are chosen from the 8th grade class, out of about 160 students... this is a real honor!  My daughter, Kiera, decided she really wanted to go on this trip, and she was ecstatic when she was chosen!   The full cost for this trip is $775.00.

Why...

As much as this trip will be for sightseeing, it is also an educational trip.  They will get the opportunity to tour UC Berkeley and Stanford University.  They will be going to the Tech Museum (in San Jose), the National Maritime Museum (in San Francisco), and Alcatraz.  While all that will be educational, and probably quite fun, the real fun will come when they go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and the Exploratorium!  Let me tell you, I'm kind of jealous!   Kiera will also be going on her very first airplane!

About Kiera...

Kiera is an 8th grade student at Blaine Middle School in Washington.  She loves to read and draw, and she dreams of travelling the world.  She is a great kid; friendly, considerate, helpful... definitely not what I ever expected a 13-year-old to be!  Even her younger sisters would tell you that she is pretty awesome, most of the time! 

How you can help...

The total cost of the trip, which includes airfare, hotel, ground transportation, admission fees, breakfasts and 2 dinners, is about $775.00.  It doesn't include any spending money for souvenirs or snacks.  The first payment (deposit) of $275 is due by Friday, December 14th.  A second payment of $200 is due by Friday, February 8th.  The balance of $300 is due by Friday, March 29th.  The kids leave for their trip the morning of Wednesday, May 1st, and return the evening of Saturday, May 4th.  If you are able to help, in any way, we would be so incredibly grateful!  I know that Kiera was not even going to apply to go on this trip because she was worried that we couldn't afford to send her, but I know that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her.  Between some bake sales, our saving and your help, I hope that we'll be able to send Kiera on this trip with some extra spending money.  

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you so much for your help!!!