Xavier College Prep recently raised money to help victims of the LA wildfires. The school donated over $5,000 to the archdiocese of Los Angeles, which will use the funds to support families and individuals struggling to recover.
Many people lost their homes, belongings and sense of stability, making donations like this incredibly important.
“This disaster has left so many people with nothing,” said Sister Lynn Winsor, a supervising organizer. “We wanted to do whatever we could to help, even if it was just in a small way.”
The fundraiser was organized by the Women’s Awareness Club and the Executive Board who came up with the idea for a Buck-a-sweans day.
Students were encouraged to donate money in exchange for the chance to wear sweats or jeans instead of their usual uniforms. This action not only allowed the students to feel comfortable in their sweats, but it also helped raise money and awareness on the devastation caused by the fires.
“The whole idea was that the kids came in and said, ‘We want to do something simple but effective,’” Winsor said. “And it worked!”
The funds were sent directly to the Archdiocese of LA, which has been actively working to aid fire victims across the region. With so many families displaced, the need for assistance is overwhelming. The donations will help provide food, shelter and other necessities to those who lost everything.
“We’ve seen entire neighborhoods burned down,” said a representative from the diocese. “Every bit of support makes a difference, and we are so grateful for what the students at Xavier have done.”
Other organizations are also stepping up to help. The Red Cross provided food, temporary housing and medical assistance, while Baby2Baby distributed diapers, clothing and other essentials for children affected by the fires. Efforts like these and donations from schools like Xavier give hope to those facing loss.
“All we can do is pray and help them as much as possible. This is a really difficult situation,” said Winsor.
The success of this fundraiser has inspired many Xavier students to continue looking for ways to help those in need, whether through donations, volunteering or raising awareness. Many Xavier students are committed to making a difference beyond just their school community.
“We’re just happy we could do something,” said Winsor. “Hopefully this inspires more people to step up and help, too.”
“All of The Executive Board were on board when the idea was brought up to raise money for the California fires. We wanted to help out as much as possible. WAX (We Are Xavier, a club dedicated to Xavier’s diversity and inclusion), decided to join in and host a bake sale, contributing to the money raised. Because we had a sweans day to raise the money, almost all Xavier students donated,” said Natalie Weatherwax, a member of WAX and Executive Board.
Xavier’s fundraiser was especially meaningful to students who had personal connections to friends and families affected by the fires, making the school’s efforts even more impactful.
“WAX organized the bake sale to raise money for the fires, so Natalie brought treats, and I brought some. We all brought treats for the bake sales, so that people can buy them at lunch, and then all that money combines with sweans to LA,” said Ginger Mago ‘25, Xavier’s historian on Executive Board.
Through their dedication and generosity, Xavier students demonstrated the power of community and compassion. Their acts provided financial relief and reminded all that a little goes a long way, especially in difficult times.
