Silsbee Elementary Raises More Than $2,300 for Julie Rogers Gift of Life Foundation

November 6, 2024 — Silsbee Elementary’s spirit of giving shines bright, raising $2,317.06 for the Julie Rogers Gift of Life Foundation during October. Through a campus-wide fundraiser called The Pink Pumpkin Patch, students and teachers came together to make a meaningful impact on cancer awareness and support.

The Pink Pumpkin Patch fundraiser ran from October 7 to October 30.

Here’s how it worked:

• Students donated $1 to their homeroom teacher.
• For each dollar donated, a pink pumpkin appeared on the classroom door, symbolizing their contribution.
• The top fundraising class raised $255!

Why Julie Rogers Gift of Life?
Monica Jones, a teacher at Silsbee Elementary, explains, “The Gift of Life program provides essential services—free screenings, tests, and post-treatment support—to underserved individuals in our community. It’s an organization supported by volunteers who work tirelessly to make a difference.”

The Julie Rogers Gift of Life Foundation aims to save lives by offering cancer screenings, diagnostics, and treatment navigation to women and men across Southeast Texas. Established in 1994 in honor of Julie Rogers, a breast cancer survivor, the organization has grown from providing free mammograms to becoming one of Texas's largest cancer screening programs, addressing critical regional needs through education and outreach.

“We know that breast cancer affects everyone in some way, and we wanted our students to understand the importance of supporting those in need,” said Jones. “Through this fundraiser, our students and staff could connect to an important cause and make a real difference in the lives of others.”

Inspired by October’s seasonal themes, Silsbee Elementary launched The Pink Pumpkin Patch to blend the spirit of fall with the compassion of their community.

The result? An outpouring of support that reflects the school’s deep commitment to making a positive impact.