API Club’s Unique Fundraising Idea Gains Popularity
Navya Kaur
Staff Writer
API (Asian Pacific & Islander) Club used their fundraising week at school from February 3-7 to sell chains of origami cranes. Each chain, consisting of six cranes, were priced at $1.50 each and a discounted price of $5.00 was offered for a total of four chains.
Since Chinese New Year occurred just before API’s fundraising week, the officers of the API Club wanted to sell specialized merchandise related to their club. Sophomore Kiana Cheung, historian of API, helped her club sell cranes at SAC on Wednesday.
“[The cranes] represent Asian culture,” Cheung said. “It’s more unique to have something handmade, than something found easily at a store.”
The cranes came along with a personalized message for the receiver from the buyer. Although many clubs at American have been including these personal messages along with their products, API regarded their cranes as one of a kind.
“We thought that these cranes would sell because they’re unique and fun,” lower grade representative Denise Kuo (10) said. “Nobody has had an idea like this before.”
Despite their unique idea, API Club did not start off their fundraising week with high sales.
“Only one person bought something on Monday [February 3, 2014]. It was 4 chains for $5,” Kuo said.
Sophomore Sarah Jensen, another purchaser who bought one chain of cranes on Wednesday, liked the idea that the cranes were not very romantic.
“Clubs have been selling a lot of Valentine grams lately, which are more romantic than friendly.” Jensen said. “Cranes are happy and I can give them to any one of my friends.”
All the officers of the club came up with the idea to sell cranes.
“Every year, [API Club] sends grams around Chinese New Year,” president Belle Lee (12) said. “We thought it’d be cool to sell cranes, since they’re lucky.”
The club sold approximately 30 chains by the end of the week. While it may not have raised their desired amount, this unique gift idea was quite successful for its first run.
The cranes will be delivered on Thursday, February 13th, during fourth
Eagle Era 