Seniors Ashley Luttrell and Chantal Speer recently presented a $1,055 check to Safteynet Organization representatives.

     Luttrell and Speer managed the public relations project for the DECA program to raise money for the Safteynet Organization. 

     The two organized and managed a school coin-collecting competition in November, as well as a pancake feed hosted by Applebees Nov. 7.

     According to information provided by DECA, Safteynet is an organization that is dedicated to supporting foster care children who have aged out of the system but still require assistance.

     The goal of the project was to raise awareness regarding needy foster children who are stripped of government funding when they turn 18.

     The project’s slogan was “Growing up doesn’t end at 18.”

     “We were looking for a public relations project,” Hastings said. “The concept of public relations is to provide information about a worthwhile project and motivate people to act.”

     According to Hastings, DECA adviser, the students choose an organization to help by determining which ones are meaningful to society.

     “Safteynet advertised on the radio that they were trying to raise money for foster care children who were 18 or older,” Hastings said. “and our DECA students decided it was a worthwhile cause.”

     “I realized that, even though it takes an entire community to rebuild a generation, it can start with two high school girls who have the desire to make a difference,” Speer said.