A Heartwarming Story of Generosity: Alturas International Academy Students Raise Significant Funds for Charity
Published at 12:01 pm, December 26, 2025
By Devin Bodkin, IdahoEdNews.org
IDAHO FALLS (Idaho EdNews.org) – The remarkable culture of philanthropy among students at Alturas International Academy has left a lasting impression on their new principal, Carina VanPelt, who assumed her role just before the Christmas break.
VanPelt, who brings years of experience from various public and private educational institutions, expressed her astonishment at the school’s charitable initiatives. "In all my years of education, I’ve never seen anything like it," she remarked, highlighting the unique spirit of giving that permeates Alturas.
Over the past eight years, the school’s fundraising efforts have generated an impressive amount, estimated to be between $25,000 and $30,000. Notably, these funds are raised through a biennial event rather than an annual one, showcasing the dedication and creativity of the students involved.
So, what’s the secret ingredient behind this successful fundraising? The answer lies primarily with the fourth and fifth graders, coupled with fundamental lessons in economics.
Fundraising is a common aspect of public education, as any parent can attest after participating in local Read-a-Thons. However, educators at Alturas believe their approach stands out due to two key factors that align with their educational philosophy:
- Leadership by Students: Fourth and fifth graders take charge of both planning and executing the fundraiser.
- Community Focus: Instead of keeping the raised funds for the school, students donate the proceeds—often totaling thousands of dollars during fundraising years—to local charities.
This year, the students managed to raise an impressive $5,133.05 for the Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership, a nonprofit organization that offers vital services such as rental assistance, heating support, and home-delivered meals for seniors and other at-risk community members.
John Radford, the CEO of the organization, described the donation as "emotionally moving" and emphasized the importance of compassion in our society. "It’s inspiring because caring for each other is so critical these days," Radford noted. "It’s incredible to see that children can catch on to that."
The latest fundraiser took the form of a carnival, where students collaborated in groups to design and implement a variety of games, ranging from ring toss to ski ball. One particularly fun booth offered beard grooming services for the dads who attended.
The economic learning component is primarily evident during the preparation phase. Each fundraising cycle sees the fourth and fifth graders team up to draft a business plan centered on profitability. This year, they decided on carnival games, considering aspects such as pricing—where participants could buy tickets at one to four dollars to join in the fun—and investments, as they sought sponsorship from parents and school leaders to cover expenses related to creating their games.
The culmination of their hard work was a lively evening filled with games, where students and community members filled the school, purchasing thousands of tickets and eagerly lining up to participate. For fifth-grader Gibson Eckman, witnessing the event unfold and seeing the donations come in was the highlight: "It was fun, and we all like helping people in need." His own game involved tossing rings over rubber ducks floating in kiddie pools for prizes.
Fellow fifth grader Piper Jackson faced the challenge of organizing shifts for her classmates to manage the games. "That was hard," she admitted, explaining that students running the booths were able to enjoy the games during their assigned hour.
Principal VanPelt underscored the dual benefits of the event: contributing to community needs while providing valuable learning experiences for the students. The focus on cooperation, support, and community engagement reflects the key principles of the school’s International Baccalaureate learning framework.
"It’s just good all around," VanPelt concluded, emphasizing the positive impact of such initiatives on both the students and the community.
