SOS Healthcare got the help they needed from one group of high school students in Myrtle Beach to help people with autism and intellectual disabilities.
The students, who are members of the Students in Action club at the Academy for the Arts, Science, and Technology, raised $27,000 for SOS Healthcare’s project, Oak Tree Farm, an affordable housing community that helps those with intellectual disabilities live independently.
“I personally was not expecting to raise that much,” said Hayden Sexton, one student in the group of 19 that helped raise the money. “I thought we would be a little bit less than that, but whenever Ms. Reichert sent out that number, I was just kind of blown away, like, I was so happy. Just, even the turn out of people that came, it was amazing.”
Chloe Stampfle, a ninth grader in the group, came up with the idea. For her, it could be a place where her brother, who has autism, could live one day.
“He could live by himself someday, or that would be a great opportunity for him to live there someday, too. It’s just, it’s a great backup plan for a lot of people,” she said. “And also, it’s just a great place for other people, maybe not even autism, to just go and live. It’s a great community.”
The Minds of all Kinds benefit, completely student-led, had a challenge to see which table at the dinner could raise the most money.
High school senior Davis Goodroe says the benefit inspired local businesses to give even more for the project.
“This year, we had 240 people buy tickets, and of those 240, there were many, I’d say at least 5 or 10, that own local businesses that have partnered with SOS Healthcare since our benefit,” said Goodroe.
What’s next for Oak Tree Farm Project?
“We are really excited. We just submitted our final house plan for our permit applications for the City of Conway. So, we’re just waiting to hear back about breaking ground,” said Jamie Sullivan, the project’s coordinator for SOS Healthcare.
The 11 acres in Conway will be able to house 97 units and those living there will get the support from SOS Healthcare to learn how to live independently.
