Ohio Volunteer Makes It Possible to Vaccinate 2,600 Children Against Measles

Hope Kostensky, a volunteer for the Summit County Chapter (Akron, Ohio), produced the Hope for Measles fundraiser, held at the First Christian Church of Stow in December. The fundraiser featured a pancake breakfast, games, raffles, face painting, a bake sale, entertainment (including her church choir), popcorn, hand-made jewelry vendors who donated a percentage of the profits and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus (with elf) giving out Red Cross goodie bags. Since November 2006 16-year-old Hope has raised $2,101 for the Measles Initiative, enough money to purchase vaccines for more than 2,600 children.