Number of Participants: 100
Hours Donated: 4
Value of Time Served: $3,380
Event Amount Raised: $2,600
Event Type: International
Activity: Other
Date: May 28, 2025
Location:
Wantagh Middle School
Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh
NY
About:
Seventh-grade students at Wantagh Middle School recently combined literature with action, raising more than $2,600 for the Iron Giraffe Challenge after reading A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. This powerful novel, based on a true story, opened students’ eyes to the harsh realities faced in South Sudan, particularly the daily struggle for access to clean water.
Motivated by the story and inspired to make a difference, the students participated in the Iron Giraffe Challenge—an international initiative supporting Water for South Sudan, a nonprofit organization that builds wells and provides clean water to communities in need.
By raising over $1,000, Wantagh Middle School has qualified for a chance to receive a visit from either author Linda Sue Park or Salva Dut, the real-life subject of the book and founder of the organization.
This experience has empowered students to realize the impact they can have globally, all while deepening their understanding of world issues through literature. Their compassion, dedication, and drive to make a difference are a testament to the strength of the Wantagh learning community.
