Donating to charity can be very intimidating. There are millions to choose from worldwide, and people often question if the charities they donate to are valid. However, donating to charity is a good way to give back and care for each other.
Sophomore Anika Ray was inspired by retired teacher Debra Gable in October of 2022 when Gable was talking about a gift box she had been given after her diagnosis of breast cancer. Hearing how the gift box cheered Gable up inspired Ray to start a fundraiser for that cause.
The Peppermint Project delivers gift boxes to breast cancer patients who are 6 or more months past their diagnosis. They try to offer support to cancer patients as they feel the other support they were originally given fade.
The different items in the gift boxes are chosen to fit the different symptoms breast cancer patients may experience. They include things like peppermint tea and candies to help with nausea, activities like mind puzzles to make time go by, and more.
To create the fundraiser, Ray reached out to Cancer Care Associates of York and worked with a staff member to make sure they would be able to obtain the boxes she made.
After that, Ray used Canva to design a graphic and then launched the fundraiser on GoFundMe.
The Peppermint Project’s fundraiser runs until September 19, and Ray plans to raise as much money as she can before then. The GoFundMe is set with a goal to raise $3000 so Ray can order items to be put in gift boxes for breast cancer patients.
Ray will fill her boxes with candies, a coloring book to pass the time, and items to pamper breast cancer patients to help them feel good despite their diagnosis.
Despite what one may think, any donation amount goes a long way. The Peppermint project is one of many ways to give back to cancer patients.
“I encourage everyone to see how they can make a difference even in the smallest of ways,” Ray says.
Many people choose not to donate to charity because they don’t feel connected to the cause. Anyone can start a passion project or fundraiser of their own – just like Ray.
As a piece of advice, Ray encourages people “to just go for it. It can be extremely intimidating to plan, organize, and start a project, but if it’s something that you are truly passionate about, you can work hard to make it happen.”
