Fundraising

Since starting my organization 2 months ago we have had the opportunity for 3 fundraisers.  The first fundraiser me, my mom and some wonderful volunteers painted the toes with new shatter paint for a moms pamper party.  This being our first fundraiser we did struggle a little bit at getting the donations.  However, it was a great learning experience and we did make enough money to say the day was a success.  Our second fundraiser was so much better.  We sold flowers at Bountiful School of Ballets annual recital.  What was great about this fundraiser is we got all the flowers donated to us, so me and my mom just needed a couple of volunteers to organize the flowers into pretty bouquets and it turned out to be a complete success.  Our last fundraiser we got donated some tickets to the Princess Festival, so we decided to get sponsors to sponsor little refugee girls so we could take them to the Princess Festival.  What was great about this fundraiser is it not only benefited Education for Generations, but it also benefited some little refugee girls who had a great time spending the day as a Princess.  Fundraising is hard work, but it is really fun.  What is hard about it is you never know what to expect.  What is great though even if you only raise a little bit of money in the end it is worth it because that little bit of money can go a long way in a child's education experience.  Anyone who reads this I encourage you to go out and have your own fundraiser for Education for Generations to make a difference in a child's life.

Not all fun and games

When I tell people I am starting a nonprofit organization they always say how fun.  Well even though I know what I am doing is the right thing to do it is not all fun and games.  To start a nonprofit you have to file multiple forms with the IRS and the chamber of commerce, you have to write bylaws and articles of incorporation, and you have to deal with the bureaucracy of it all.  It is not an easy process and I have learned so much in starting my nonprofit.  It has been a lot of work, but it has been totally worth it. 

First Experiences

Charity and service have become a big part of my life which is why I want to start my nonprofit and continue on with my service for the rest of my life.  However, service hasn't always been such a big part of my life.  One of my first experiences that made me fall in love with service was when my family got assigned to help a refugee family who just barely arrived off a plane from Somalia when I was 11 years old.  Over the years I have come to adore this family as I have watched them grow and get used to life in America.  They have taught me about different cultures, about patience, about diversity, and so much more.  They have changed my life forever.  Each year many refugees are relocated to Salt Lake City because their home country is no longer safe.  I recommend to everyone who reads this to go out and help a refugee family of their own it is a priceless experience. 

The Foundation for Education for Generations

My name is Gabrielle Ernest and I am a junior majoring in International Studies at the University of Utah.  One of my dreams and goals in life is to start a nonprofit organization which I am currently doing with my mother Dr. Ronda Miller Ernest called the Foundation for Education for Generations.  What we want to accomplish with our nonprofit is to help people all over the world get an education.  Our immediate focus is local refugees in Utah who we have been helping out since 2003 and to help our friend Carolyne build a school in the countryside of Kenya.  I don't know why I was born were I was born and why I was given such great educational opportunities through out my life, but instead of pondering on why I decided that it is time to go out in the world and give others educational opportunities like I got growing up and still have, so they can go out in world and help others.  I am hoping with my nonprofit organization that if I give people educational opportunities that their lives will be enhanced so they will be able to give their own children better educational opportunities and to help others get educational opportunities.  I know there are a lot of nonprofits out there, but if I can help just one child get a better educational opportunity than starting my nonprofit will be worth it.