Every year after Thanksgiving break, DHS launches the charity event School Chest, which continues until winter break. Whether it is food sales during lunches or events such as Hoops 4 Hope, the individuals who are involved in School Chest give it their all to find ways to raise money for each year’s charity. This year, DHS is raising money for the Michael Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

This year’s School Chest co-chair members, juniors Jordyn Cohen and Benjy Sachs, were appointed to their positions last May. Soon after, they researched about 100 charities. Since School Chest is well known throughout the Chicagoland area, many community leaders reached out to Cohen and Sachs to pitch the worthiness of their own charities. Cohen and Sachs narrowed the list of charities under consideration down to 25 but continued to receive many phone calls from new charities.

The real sales pitch happened the week before school started last August. There were five charities under consideration for School Chest 2014.

“They get 30 minutes to say everything about them. Then we pick the top two, and the school votes and decides on which organization will be represented by School Chest,” Sachs said.

Deciding on the charity for School Chest is only the first step of the process. A big part of School Chest is developing new, creative ways to raise money for the chosen organization. A portion of the money raised comes from online and private donations. School Chest consistently receives donations from across the nation far beyond Deerfield.

“The silent auction is always big. Run for Change and Hoops 4 Hope are also big events,” Cohen said.

Although running School Chest can be quite stressful, Cohen and Sachs do have favorite parts of the process.

“It’s really cool to work with different personalities, to work with these people who are so passionate about School Chest and the Ralph Foundation,” Cohen said.

“I like when I am handing food out at D lunch, you’ve got a line of 50 kids waiting for Portillo’s beef, that’s just when I feel the most involved in School Chest,” Sachs said.

Last year’s School Chest co-chair and current Student Council President Sam Bricker talked about the differences between being a co-chair and overseeing the process as a mentor.

“As a School Chest co-chair, I was more involved with the day to day operations. This year, I’ve still been very involved, but my newest responsibility is guiding and mentoring Jordyn and Benjy. I found last year that in a process as taxing and stressful as School Chest, it’s helpful to have people guiding you along the way and I’ve done my best to provide that for this year’s co-chairs,” said Bricker.

According to Bricker, Sachs and Cohen have worked tirelessly to keep School Chest running smoothly from the beginning of the year.

“Jordyn and Benjy have done a phenomenal job this year. They have the perfect balance of creativity, productivity and determination needed to form a successful School Chest tandem. They’re committed to carrying on School Chest traditions while adding in their own spin on everything. It’s been fun to watch,” Bricker said.

Every year, School Chest sets the bar high, but this year, with a record-breaking $142,000.27, it has surpassed all expectations.

“It was so amazing to see all of the enthusiasm and dedication that DHS and our surrounding community put into this School Chest. I am so thankful for everyone who got involved in this fundraiser and proud of all the hard work that everyone put in to make it a success,” Cohen said. “This was truly a community effort, and it was so cool to see everyone come together to support this cause.