WARSAW — The commons area at Edgewood Middle School has been a whirlwind of activity this week as the hurricane relief fundraiser organized by Edgewood Cares gets underway.

Following a wave of recent hurricanes, including Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria, members of the philanthropic club made the decision to arrange a hurricane relief fundraiser.

Edgewood Cares organizes or takes part in a fundraiser every quarter to raise money for various organizations and causes. During their first meeting of the 2017-2018 school year, it was determined that club members wanted to help hurricane victims.

After brainstorming ideas, club members decided on a raffle. They asked teachers and staff at Edgewood to donate whatever they could, with possible options including time, food, gifts or games.

According to Edgewood eighth grade language arts teacher Kami Toumey, the response from Edgewood teachers and staff was “amazing.” Toumey helps facilitate Edgewood Cares meetings and fundraisers, along with Edgewood teachers Whitney Beer and Veronica Helser. It was Helser who initially came up with the idea for the club approximately four years ago.

A total of 57 raffle prizes were donated. Some of the prizes include a photo shoot in Mrs. Tyson’s ’65 Mustang, a pizza and Mario party lunch, homemade cupcakes and cookies, a homework pass, a Starbucks gift card and an offer from Mr. Brumbaugh to shave his beard in any style and keep it for a week.

During lunch shifts this week, Edgewood Cares members will be stationed in the commons area selling raffle tickets for $1 each. There is no limit to the amount of tickets a student may purchase. Labeled jars are set up so students can locate the raffle prize they would like to win, write their name on their ticket and put the ticket in the corresponding jar.

“Edgewood teachers were super creative and very generous,” said Toumey, “Students have almost 60 different options to purchase raffle tickets for.”

“I think it was a really good idea,” said Edgewood Cares club member Ali Garcia, “People are having fun with it and a lot of money has been raised so far.”

Names will be drawn and winners announced the week of Oct. 1.

All proceeds will be given to hurricane relief programs chosen by the Edgewood Cares club.