Giving Thanks to the QM Scholars

By Quetzal Mama • November 30, 2016

On November 17, 2016, two carloads of Quetzal Mama Scholars drove to Casa de Amparo in North San Diego County.  This day was a long time coming!  The Scholars began planning this excursion last April.  They held two marathon bake sales at the Founder’s home (Roxanne Ocampo).  As a team, they baked and assembled close to 600 cookies and brownies.  They took these treats to their high school campuses and sold them to raise funds.  Together, they raised $325.

By shopping at Walmart, Ross, and Marshalls, the Scholars bought pots and pans, utensils, towels, blankets, and many other household goods.  The purpose for the fundraiser was to donate to Casa de Amparo – specifically, for foster youth who will be transitioning into adult, independent living.

What is remarkable about this fundraiser was not the 600 cookies.  It wasn’t the 16 hours spent baking two consecutive weekends.  Nor was it the trains they took to get to the baking location (easily a 2-hour round-trip).  Or, the fact they spent their own money purchasing flour, nuts, butter, and other baking goods.  And, it wasn’t the frugal and strategic ways the Scholars maximized the $325 dollars.

What was remarkable was that the Scholars could easily have benefited as recipients of this fundraiser.  You see, all of the Scholars have struggled financially.  The Scholars have been raised in families with an average household income of between $20,000 to $40,000.  For them, a $325 shopping spree would have easily been equal to several Christmas seasons of gifts.

The QM Scholars are all first in their families to go to college.  Many serve as the “leader” in their families – responsible for translating documents to attending school functions, to helping their younger siblings with their homework (and preparing their meals).  In addition, they hold an average GPA of 3.85, including many Honors and Advanced Placement courses.  Their extracurricular activities, on-campus leadership, clubs, sports, music, and part-time work experience is commendable.

Yet, to watch the Scholars as they shopped at Ross, Marshalls, and Walmart, you would have thought they won the lottery!  And, maybe they did.  This was likely the very first time they had organized something like this, and participated fully – from deciding the types of cookies to bake (they wanted chocolate chip and brownies), to packaging the treats, to managing the marketing strategies, and shopping for the donated goods.

The delivery of these goods to Casa de Amparo was special for all of the reasons above.  And, it was especially heartful given it was one week before Thanksgiving.  As the Founder of the Quetzal Mama Scholars, I am extremely grateful to have mentored these brilliant, hard-working, and resourceful students.  As I watched the QM Scholars deliver the goods, I felt proud to know they are our future leaders, innovators, and change agents.  But above all, I was proud to know they were passionate about caring for our fellow brothers and sisters in the North San Diego Community.  #StrongerTogether.