EVERETT — They call themselves World Changers, and their plan is to go hungry to help those who don’t have any food.
The group of 20 students at New Beginnings Church is hoping to help feed the hungry in other countries on March 26 and 27 by taking part in a 30-hour fast, an event they are calling a famine.
The event is sponsored by World Vision, and is a worldwide youth movement aimed at stopping hunger. Groups can participate in dates chosen by World Vision or pick their own date.
The group chose a date that falls between the national events held Feb. 26 and 27 and April 23 and 24. It will be the second year students from New Beginnings Church have participated, youth leader Jarrod Dibble said. The purpose of going hungry is to make students more aware of hunger in the world.
“The goal is for students that participate to raise as much money as possible to give to World Vision to feed starving kids throughout the world,” he said.
One dollar will feed a child for one day according to World Vision. The World Changers want to raise $2,000. They hope to raise the majority of the funds today during a car smash, garage and bake sale event.
The garage and bake sales are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the church parking lot at 2531 Oakes Ave. in Everett. Those who want to, can purchase tickets to take a swing at a donated car during the car smash from 2 to 4 p.m.
Today’s events are the biggest fundraising effort for the 30-hour fast, Dibble said, but the students who participate are also collecting donations from friends and family before the event.
Everett High School student Kris Murray, 18, will be participate in the 30-hour event for the first time. He has raised $38 dollars so far and considers it to be “a good start” but wants to raise more money.
“I’m just here for God and to help those in need,” he said. “The goal is $200 per person and if I just make it there that’s the minimum I want to raise. Now it’s time to reach the goal.”
Breana Turner, who is also a student at Everett High School, will participate in the fast for the second time. This year, she is organizing the bake sale.
“I think we’re going to raise a lot of money so that’s pretty cool,” Turner, 15, said. “Before I did it last year I thought it was going to be hard, but I didn’t really think about how hungry I was.”
During the 30-hour fast, students will work in teams to complete activities to learn more about world hunger, Dibble said. Each participant is also responsible for putting a corresponding number of thumbprints on a sign at the church for each dollar they raise.
The youth group also is competing in teams divided into boys and girls to raise money in a game called Penny Wars. Each team tries to add paper bills to the other teams jar for negative points while adding coins to their own team’s jar for positive points. So far, the friendly competition has raised $126.
“It’s in their hearts to help, and it’s really becoming evident the kids are putting action with that heart,” Velda Welborn, a youth leader at the church said. “This whole process is about bringing awareness to our students that look, this is what’s going on outside of your community. And you can help.”
Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491, adaybert@heraldnet.com.
You can help
The World Changers youth group is holding a garage and bake sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at New Beginnings Church, 2531 Oakes Ave. in Everett. A car smash event will is set for 2 to 4 p.m. All proceeds from the event will be donated to World Vision to fight world hunger.
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