Berkeley County students raise $2K for Ronald McDonald House

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Students from across the Berkeley County School District gathered Tuesday to present a check after raising $2,000 for the Charleston Ronald McDonald House.

The district launched a pilot program in which students from five high schools (Cross High, Berkeley High, Hanahan High, Goose Creek High, and Berkeley Alternative School) started fundraising efforts to help an organization.

Three agencies were in the running before organizers ultimately voted to make Ronald McDonald House the charity for this year.  

“It makes me so happy to see that that younger generation is still intrigued and is wanting to put their foot in the door and help others even if they don’t actually talk to them directly; they know they’re making a great impact,” said Caroline McShane, community engagement manager for RMHC.

To raise money, the high schoolers sold tickets to dances, put on a Pie-A-Teacher in the Face day, bought a spot for their names on the marquee for their birthdays, and more. School Counseling Liaison Patricia Hill said the district hopes to have students from every high school participate in 2026.

Hill also said the district plans to support a different local organization every year. The initiative pushes students to contribute to their local community.

“I am very proud of all these students,” Hill said.  “The hard work and the dedication and the positive difference that they are making on our community, even in 9th and 10th grade, they can see that their work pays off and that the whole community will benefit from it.”