The true spirit of giving was reflected this past Christmas season through the Academy’s Beta Club. On December 20, Junior Beta Club member Colleen McInerney presented a check, along with a stuffed monkey, to Mrs. Diana Allan, the Annual Giving Manager of St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, on behalf of the AHN Beta Club for the amount of $400.

McInerney came up with the idea of a Virtual Toy Drive in Tampa, based on her experiences of knowing how much stuffed animals and toys mean to children when they are ill. McInerney was bedridden for two weeks with a torn ACL.  During this time, Colleen’s family pitched in to buy her a stuffed animal to make her feel better.

Inspired by the special gift from her family, McInerney pushed towards raising money for toys to give children spending their holiday in the hospital.

Just days before winter break, members brought in baked goods to sell during break and lunch. Students flocked the Beta Baked Sale table to buy cookies, brownies, and other snacks in preparation for mid-term exams.After a successful first-time fundraiser for the Virtual Toy Drive, the Beta Club is looking forward to working with the St. Joseph’s Hopital more often, as well as becoming involved with more organizations in the Tampa Bay area.