You ve heard of Band Boosters and Athletic Boosters - but have you ever heard of a HOSA Booster Club?

Well, one teacher did. Frustrated with the need for equipment and travel money for HOSA, one teacher adopted an approach to fundraising and program support that has proven successful for Forbush HOSA in North Carolina.

It all started in September of 1996. I was very frustrated with the CPR equipment we had to work with. It was old, didn t work well, and was likely a safety hazard since the manikins couldn t be taken apart for proper cleaning.

I asked our Vocational Director for $1200 to purchase new equipment. I was told there was not enough money available to meet such a need.

Our school has fundraising rules and restrictions, so raising the money by HOSA members was not an option. I had, however, been to a workshop where the presenter talked about the importance of Parental Involvement in education and how supportive parents can be. I decided to put that recommendation to the test.

Well, to make a long story very short, I talked with some of the parents of my students, and we decided to start a Booster s Club and raise the money ourselves. Initially, there were 4-5 parents at each meeting. We had 10 parents in all, and managed to raise the money to purchase the following:

Little Anne CPR manikins (4)	$644.89
Rescue Jr.	$364.02
Rescue Baby	$329.27
Books (for HOSA and the classroom)	$559.55
TOTAL	$1897.73

In addition, the Booster s Club managed to get the following items donated:

• Hospital bed
• Walker
• Tri-pod
• Bedside commode
• (8) 1996 PDR's

  This year's HOSA Booster president has “taken the bull by the horns.” We have 18 active members and 26 on our membership roll. We also have five committees for parents to serve on. HOSA members also help with Booster Club projects, and student participation in HOSA activities is up 100%.

  HOSA Booster Club meetings are held the first Monday of every month. They start at 7 p.m. in the Health Occupations classroom at Forbush High School. Most meetings are brief and last less than an hour. Parents are encouraged to bring their HOSA member with them to the meeting. There are no membership fees or dues to be a member of HOSA Booster s Club.

  This year, the Forbush HOSA Booster s Club is awarding four $350 scholarships. The scholarships are for seniors who have been active members of HOSA for a minimum of two years, and who plan to work toward a degree in a hospital-related medical/health care profession. HOSA Booster Club parents participate in the selection process with the school s scholarship committee.

  Last year s fundraising activities included a Yard Sale, Carwash & Bake Sale, BBQ Chicken Dinner, and a quilt raffle. This year we raffled cash, sponsored a “Poorman s Supper”, held a House of Lloyd fundraiser, and a car wash.

  All in all, the Forbush HOSA Booster s Club has proven to be a great success and an important asset for our HOSA chapter. Getting to know the parents has been a pleasure, and I hope to continue to work with them in the years to come.

  Billie Sapp
  HOSA Advisor
  Forbush High School