Michaela’s “European Odyssey”

My project:

A few months ago, I recieved a letter inviting me to go on a trip to Europe during the summer of 2014.  It's called the European Odyssey.  Students that take part will travel to France, Italy, and Greece.  Coincidentally, all three of those countries are places on my bucket list that I'd like to visit.  Unfortunately, the trip costs 7,535.  Yep, a very dauntin (to say the least) sum of money.  I have a little over 400 dollars saved up and I'm working to earn more.  My goal, ultimately, is to raise enough money to go on the European Odyssey trip this summer. I have a job that pays minimum wage and have already been saving up for the trip, but, unfortunately, it's not enough to raise the amount of money that I need. So, I thought about it and have come up with a few ideas to get me where I want to go. I've decided that I'll try a bake sale/raffle (a most generic way to raise money, but an effective one nonetheless). At this event I will also be selling, among the baked goods, some homemade jewelry; friendship bracelets, etc. I'll ask my principal if I can advertise and sell tickets at the school and maybe even host the event there. I'll ask small businesses to donate some prizes in exchange for advertising.

Why is my project unique/special? 

I'd say my project is unique because it's something that I've never actually done before, at least not on my own. Many kids have hosted events such as these to raise money for charity, trips like the one I wish to go on, etc. So they have experience in this field. I, on the other hand, am going at this alone. Not that I don't have parental support, because I do, but my endeavor for independence includes planning and executing these attempts to raise money. I guess what I'm trying to say is that, my project is not just to raise money to go on this trip, but to inspire in kids, myself included, that we CAN be independent. I've struggled, so much, with self doubt and pessimism in my (short) 15 and a half years of life and I'm trying to change that. As I said before, my goal, ultimately, is to raise enough money to go on this trip, but in doing so, I can also rid myself and others my age of the constant self doubt and fear of being self-dependent.

What's in it for you?

You all may be asking, what's in it for you if you donate to me?  Well, unfortunately, as a 15 year old girl still in high school, I don't have very much to give in terms of monetary compensation.  What I DO have to give, though, is my youthful energy.  So, besides my immense and eternal gratitude, if you donate to my cause, I pledge to donate my hours.  What I mean is that in return for your kindness, I'll show kindness to my community by volunteering any way that I can.  Also, if you own a small business or company, I can advertise for you around my community or at events that I host such as the abovementioned bake sale/raffle.  Lastly, if you'd like, and if I'm able to raise enough money by the appointed time, I can send you souvenirs and pictures from the trip. :)