When a group of students at Atholton High School in Columbia, Maryland set out to organize a class project, they could have chosen something simple. A bake sale. A poster campaign. Instead, they chose to change lives—across their neighborhood, across Baltimore, and across the ocean.
What started as a classroom assignment became one of the most impactful student-led donation drives MACONA has partnered with this year. And it proved something we have always believed: no one is too young to make a difference.
A Classroom With a Mission
The students were tasked with designing a community service project that would create real, measurable impact. After researching nonprofits, they connected with MACONA and learned about the communities we serve—families in sub-Saharan Africa who lack basic necessities, and underserved neighborhoods in the Baltimore metro area.
They organized collection stations throughout the school, rallied classmates and families, and ran the drive for several weeks with flyers, morning announcements, and hallway outreach. Their energy was infectious.
Mimi Williams Visits the Classroom
MACONA CEO Mimi Williams visited Atholton High School to speak with the students about the organization's work and the impact their donations would have. She shared stories of families who had received clothing shipments in West Africa, children who wore their first pair of new shoes to school, and communities in Baltimore where donated books had stocked an entire after-school reading program.
“When I walked into that classroom and saw what these young people had accomplished, I was overwhelmed,” said Williams. “They didn't just collect items—they organized, they motivated their peers, they tracked everything. These students ran this like a real operation, and the results speak for themselves.”
The Numbers Tell the Story
By the time the drive concluded, the students had collected an extraordinary volume of donations:
| Category | Quantity | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of clothing | 127 | Africa & Baltimore charities |
| Pairs of shoes | 15 | Africa & Goodwill |
| Books | 100+ | Baltimore after-school programs |
| School supplies | 1 box | Africa & local schools |
Every item was sorted, categorized, and prepared for distribution by the students themselves. Clothing and shoes were divided between shipments bound for communities in Africa and donations to Baltimore-area charities and Goodwill. Books were routed to local after-school programs. School supplies were split between international and local recipients.
Where the Donations Went
MACONA's distribution model ensures every donated item reaches someone who needs it. The Atholton donations were channeled through three pathways:
- Africa: Clothing, shoes, and school supplies joined MACONA's next consolidated shipment to West Africa, going directly to families identified by local coordinators.
- Baltimore charities: Clothing was distributed through MACONA's local charity partners to families in underserved neighborhoods.
- Goodwill: Items in good condition that didn't fit partner community needs were donated to Goodwill, ensuring nothing went to waste.
Support Drives Like This — Donate Now
Why Student Partnerships Matter
Student-led drives hold a special place in MACONA's mission. When young people take ownership of a charitable project, they build empathy, organizational skills, and a sense of global citizenship that stays with them for life.
The Atholton students didn't just meet a class requirement. They experienced what it means to see a need, design a response, and execute a plan. That is leadership, and exactly the kind of partnership MACONA seeks to cultivate.
How Your School Can Get Involved
If you are a teacher, administrator, or student who wants to organize a donation drive with MACONA, we make it easy. We provide collection guidelines, pick up donated items, and handle all distribution logistics. Reach out at macona.org/contact to start a conversation.
Every Item Counts. Every Person Counts.
One hundred twenty-seven articles of clothing. Fifteen pairs of shoes. Over one hundred books. One box of school supplies. These are not just numbers—they are lifelines. A warm jacket for a child in Cameroon. A pair of shoes for a teenager starting a new school year in Baltimore. A stack of books for a reading program that had empty shelves.
The students at Atholton High School proved that impact is not about scale. It is about intention, effort, and follow-through. And with MACONA as a partner, every donation—no matter how small—reaches someone who needs it.
Your Gift at Work
Double Your Impact
If your employer offers matching gifts, search for MIMI AFRICAN CHARITIES (EIN 93-3813688) in Benevity. Corporate matches have funded hydration hubs, school supplies, and full distribution days.