Have you ever been asked to buy a balloon in October or a flower in February? These are just a few parts of the many fundraisers Alpha Iota Delta, better known as AID, carries out during each school year. The club is made up of female students from each grade and is advised by English teacher Miss Meredith Coleman. Together, the girls fundraise and do community service, making a difference in the community. They have organized many of their own fundraisers and participated in other events such as miniTHON and the school musical.

“AID is a community service based sorority. Part of it is building relationships between women and part of it is working in the community to try and improve our school and the community. We organize a lot of different projects to improve the lives of people who live in Pottsville and the surrounding areas,” Miss Coleman said.

Every year in October, the current members of AID hold a New Members tea at a senior’s house to introduce potential new members into the club, which include both freshmen and sophomores. Each girl is asked a couple questions in order to learn what her values and intentions for the club are, as well as learning more about her. About a week after the tea, the new members are called to the library where they are dressed up by a senior who is also their big sister.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. In light of this, AID members organized the annual Flight for a Fight balloon release for the past three years. The girls must sell a set number of balloons as well as selling t-shirts and bracelets, which were added in 2018. All of the money raised benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The balloon release takes place at the last home football game. In 2018, the club raised over $5,000.

AID members host the Holiday Tea for faculty members in December. It is a way to thank the faculty for all of the hard they put in throughout the school year. The girls supply all of the food and beverages which include cupcakes, donuts, cookies, fruit salad, coffee and tea. The tea is held in the cafeteria.

The Valentine and carnation sale takes place during the month of January. AID members sell the slips to students and faculty for them to send to their friends. Members stay after school on February 13 to assemble the flowers and valentines for the big day, February 14. On Valentines Day, the girls arrive to school at 7:00 am to deliver the flowers to each home room so the students and faculty can receive their flowers as soon as they get to home room.

The latest fundraiser AID is planning is the SPCA drive. Members set up bins in Miss Coleman’s room and the main office for students and faculty to drop off donations. The donations can include dog or cat food, toys, blankets and anything else an animal could need or want. The members plan on starting the fundraiser in April. In addition, the girls are picking a weekend in May to volunteer and deliver the items to SPCA.