Shakopee High School students create snow angel challenge to benefit Children's Hospital

When Shakopee High School seniors in the National Honor Society were given the option to forego service projects for the year due to COVID restraints, they opted instead to find a creative solution to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Minnesota.

The group of NHS students created a virtual challenge so people can participate safely amid the pandemic while also adhering to the state’s evolving restrictions. Much like the ALS Bucket Challenge that went viral on social media in recent years, participants are asked to film themselves completing a challenge for a good cause – only this time, they must make a snow angel while wearing just shorts and a t-shirt.

Participants then post their videos to social media with the hashtag #AngelsForKids2021 and tag their friends to encourage them to participate. Ultimately, the students’ hope is for their Angels for Kids Challenge to gain popularity on social media, leading people to donate to their cause.

“We were interested in supporting Children’s of Minnesota because they never turn a child away,” said Shakopee NHS student Sydney Langemo. “They rely heavily on donations, and we thought this was a great opportunity to be able to give back to them and hopefully help to continue their efforts in providing care to children that have many medical needs.”

The NHS group agrees that not only will the fundraiser benefit Children’s Minnesota, but it has brought them all together and made them feel closer, from afar.

“We want to make a difference and bring some light in during a dark time,” said Paige Murphy, Shakopee NHS student. “For me personally, this has put me in a lot better mood. I think everyone just needed something good to be involved in.”

SHS teacher and NHS advisor Mike Hoffman said he wasn’t sure what the group’s service project would look like when the students said they still wanted to do one, but he’s thrilled they created an impactful project.

“The fact that this is what it’s turned into is phenomenal,” he said.

The NHS has already exceeded its $5,000 goal for the fundraiser, but the students don’t want to stop there. To donate, click here. Doing the challenge by making a snow angel in only a t-shirt and shorts is not required, but strongly encouraged.

Check out some of the challenge videos posted by Shakopee school officials:

It’s a ‘cool’ day to be a Saber. Please join me ⁦@ShakopeeSchools and the entire #shakopeeschools community in having some fun and donating to a ‘cool’ ⁦@ShakopeeNHS⁩ fundraiser. Details on how to join the fun are found here: https://t.co/4C3Cj4cJWR pic.twitter.com/niCgjogvgO
— Mike Redmond, Ed.D. (@Supt_Redmond) January 11, 2021

Angels4Kids fundraiser benefiting @childrensmn Take the Angel challenge #angels4kids2021 @derekbell20 @DougSchleif @Eaglecreekers @Supt_Redmond @ShakopeeSchools @ShakopeeNHS pic.twitter.com/HHNBg4S0DX
— Dave Orlowsky (@Mr_Orlowsky) January 11, 2021

Please donate to the Angels for Kids fundraiser hosted by Shakopee High School NHS! All proceeds go directly to Children’s Minnesota. If you follow me, I nominate you!!! @ShakopeeNHS @ShakopeeSchools #Angels4kids2021 pic.twitter.com/PdI2cZNlnf
— Jeff Pawlicki (@JeffPawlicki) January 12, 2021

Let’s raise some money for the Angels for Kids fundraiser hosted by the Shakopee High School National Honor Society! All proceeds go to Children’s Minnesota!

I challenge all of my fellow school board members to do the same! @ShakopeeNHS @ShakopeeSchools #angels4kids2021 pic.twitter.com/DJwk1YH3t7
— Kristi Peterson (@kristilpeterson) January 12, 2021

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