Just About Kids Raises Money at Kingwood High School

Kids helping Kids and learning, giving and learning to give are the core mission and principles of Just About Kids (JAK). The 501 c 3 nonprofit organization spoke at the Humble Intercontinental Rotary meeting on July 25.

JAK’s idea started 14 years ago by a dedicated 9-year-old boy who started collecting pennies for The Kempe Foundation for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect in Denver, Colo. In two years, Derek Cesarek raised $15,000 for the foundation. When his family moved to Wichita, Kan., the young man along with four other high school students founded JAK. Now in Texas, the organization is currently working to raise funds for academic programs at Kingwood High School (KHS).

“The students are learning the entrepreneurial, financial, marketing and organizational skills necessary to build their organization. In addition, they are learning about children in need in our community, learning how important it is to give back to our community by helping children who can’t help themselves,” said Deborah Cesarek, JAK board member.

Celebrating one year at KHS, JAK’s accomplishments include awarding 60 teacher grants and three scholarships, developing a district-wide opportunity to partner with Waste Management to secure wood for the technology departments, adopting a Lakeland Elementary second grade class, building an outdoor classroom, and starting two school businesses, JAKats and JAKars.

“Our primary focus at Kingwood High School is to raise money for classroom supplies,” she said.

Today, JAK has more than 175 students who meet every week. These students organize and hold a variety of fundraising projects as well as provide countless hours of volunteer services. JAK has an adult Advisory Board and student Executive Team who meet monthly to determine the focus and structure of the organization. For more information, visit www.justaboutkids.org.