Pine Lake Middle School students learn a surprising lesson in the collective power of student activism

In March 2007, a group of students at Pine Lake Middle School in Sammamish, WA, conducted a school-wide Loose Change to Loosen Chains fundraiser to help IJM rescue victims of slavery around the world. All 30 homeroom classes set their own fundraising goals, and each class met or surpassed their goal. At the conclusion of the campaign, one of IJM's field office directors, Andrey Sawchenko, visited the school and spoke about IJM's work, telling stories of IJM clients whose lives have been restored. Following his presentation, the students presented him with a check for over $16,000.

Many of the Pine Lake students were motivated by their participation in the LC2LC program to seek opportunities to serve in their own community - one helped to organize a clothing drive for needy mothers, while others shared the LC2LC program with local schools, youth groups and churches. Eric Ensey, a Pine Lake teacher, said: "Their effort was amazing! Every student is proud of the work they've done and the lives they've helped change forever. It's so cool to think that in a school of 1000 students, each one knows the work of IJM and its efforts to change the world." The local Starbucks store even joined the movement, committing to donate free hot chocolate and cookies to each homeroom class that met their fundraising goal.