For the past seven years, New Life Academy’s student-run nonprofit, Buy a Coffee, Buy a Well, has been undergoing philanthropic efforts for Living Waters International, an organization that builds and repairs wells in countries that don’t have access to clean water. Through a variety of activities, the nonprofit brings in approximately $5,000 to $6,000 per year for Living Waters.
Each Wednesday morning, everyone at the school is encouraged to make a purchase at the Buy a Coffee, Buy a Well coffee shop, with proceeds going to Living Waters. Started by teacher Ellie Fredrickson, the current shop is now overseen by 10 students (juniors and seniors) and advised by Fredrickson. “We actually started at a puppet stand and now we have an actual coffee shop,” she says.
In addition to the coffee shop, students have carried out other fundraising efforts including coin drives and two 5K runs. This year, New Life Academy’s goal is to raise a record $10,000 that will go toward a new well in South America.
