15 Year Old Organizes and Conducts Wheelchair Foundation Fundraiser

Amanda & Christie Huff

On February 11, 2010, Christie Huff, a ninth grader at Stapley Junior High in Mesa, Arizona, held a benefit for the Wheelchair Foundation to raise money to send wheelchairs to Haiti.  Christie sings at Pastis Delicatessen and Eurogrille one night each week and had initially planned to donate her tips one week to a charity working in Haiti.  Her plans evolved after Diana Anderson, who is an active supporter of the Wheelchair Foundation, came to speak to Christie’s Student Council group about the Foundation.  After this, Christie decided to ask Pastis to get involved and to publicize her night as an actual benefit.  Stapley Student Council helped publicize the event and Pastis volunteered to donate 10% of their proceeds that night to the cause.  Christie’s younger sister, Amanda, an eighth grader at Stapley, provided additional musical entertainment and helped Christie organize the event.   They decided to call the event “Help for Haiti” and distributed hundreds of bright yellow flyers at school and throughout the community.

The night of February 11, the restaurant was filled with regulars, friends, neighbors, and Stapley students.  Everyone enjoyed the entertainment and great food.  Best of all, over $360 was collected for the Wheelchair Foundation!