Devon Prep’s CAP Officers present a check to a representative of CHOP.
Devon Prep’s Christian Action Program (CAP) sponsored “Up for A Cause,” a 12-hour night of fun and games beginning at 7 PM Friday and ending at 7AM Saturday, to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). They raised over $35,000 for CHOP’s Child Life Division, specifically the Teen Room and the Teen Activities Budget.
Helping Devon Prep kick off this annual event were 30 members of The North Philadelphia Foot Stompers, an award winning drill team and drum corps comprised of inner city young people who live in the neighborhoods served by St. Elizabeth’s Community Center. Each year Devon Prep conducts food, clothing and school supplies drives that benefit the center.
In addition to the Foot Stompers’ performance, students spent the night participating in a variety of activities including basketball, dodgeball and soccer games, board games and movies throughout night. No ipods, laptops, CD players or electronic devices of any kind were permitted. And neither was sleeping! Raffle prizes, including concert and sporting events tickets, hats, jump drives, gift certificates, and more were given away throughout the night.
“This year our goal is to raise $30,000 for CHOP and we raised much more than that,” said Devon Prep Senior and CAP Co-President Stephen Chase. “We asked for support from our family, friends and community, those that have experienced CHOP, and know that the children come first. The funds will benefit CHOP’s Child Life Division, specifically the Teen Room and the Teen Activities Budget.”
CHOP’s Child Life Division recognizes that illness and hospitalization are stressful events in the lives of children and their families. By using age appropriate education, preparation and supportive activities, Life Specialists strive to minimize that stress and help children and their families cope.
Throughout the past nine years Devon Prep’s CAP has raised over $165,000 with similar events for hospitals that care for ill children. Devon Prep was the first high school in the country to attempt such an event and last year they were the first area high school to hold such a fundraiser for CHOP.
