By Stephanie Wesseling, American Red Cross Public Affairs

Recently, students at Gulliver Preparatory School in Miami organized a collection drive and fundraiser for the Women’s Center at the Bruce Carter VA Medical Center. Members of the Gulliver Red Cross Youth Club spent their school breaks selling donuts, croquetas, cupcakes and cookies. Within a week, they had raised nearly $1,000 and collected dozens of personal care items for women veterans.

The student-led effort brought in shampoo, soap, lotion and feminine hygiene products that will be distributed to women veterans throughout May as part of Military Appreciation Month. Club members donated items themselves and used the funds raised on campus to purchase additional supplies from the Women’s Center wish list.

Founded in 2022, the Gulliver Red Cross Youth Club now includes 144 members. About 25 students participated directly in the drive, helping to collect donations, organizing the fundraiser, and personally delivering the supplies to the VA Medical Center.

“We decided to organize a donation drive at our school because we know that veterans are an underserved community in our area and the Red Cross supports them significantly, and as a Red Cross Club, we wanted to give back and positively make a difference,” said Gulliver Red Cross Club co-president Stella Cardoso. “I am very proud of the club’s involvement and of the amount of donations that we raised, and I definitely hope that they will make a difference for the veterans who need these things.”

Through its Service to the Armed Forces mission, the American Red Cross supports active-duty military members, veterans and their families year-round. That work includes emergency communication services, assistance for military and veteran families, volunteer programs at VA medical centers and support for caregivers and wounded service members.

“The entire experience was truly amazing and getting to raise money through the bake sale and utilizing the wish list was fulfilling as we got to collaborate with the Red Cross chapter and our school community,” said Gulliver Red Cross Club co-president Sydney Widner.

Get Involved
You can support the Red Cross mission by volunteering or starting a Red Cross Youth Club at your school. Visit redcross.org/Youth to learn more about starting a Red Cross Youth Club today!