Alpha Charity League (ACL): A Social Analysis

Charity is one of the leading foundations of America and even the entire world. It brings people together to provide for those in need. Without charity, the lives of many would be crushed or some even lost. A charity organization I was apart of, called Alpha Charity League (ACL), assembles men from the ages of 12 through 18 to get together and raise money for local charities, like the Chris Saiz Foundation. If Blinn could make another chapter of ACL and offered 15 hours of credit for participating, not only could we aid our community and those in need, but also put me through college stress-free.
ACL is defined through teaching younger men on how to lead through community service in solidarity. A quote from the Houston Chronicle said, “...a philanthropic organization committed to community service and leadership development” (Chronicle 1). When ACL had just commenced in 2012, we figured out that the most efficient way to raise money was to create a fundraiser. In our first meeting, we explored for ideas and learned about a day called “National Lemonade Day.” We decided on this day we would divide up into teams of five and sell lemonade in the highly populated areas of Houston.
Ever since the first meeting, ACL’s key purpose was to go out on that day and sell lemonade. As a whole organization, we would make forty thousand dollars alone on national lemonade day, which would be enough to fund any charity we selected that year. Throughout the rest of the year, we would volunteer at places like food banks, and Ballard houses. A quote from the leader of ACL, Elizabeth Rutherford, said, “[This is] to not only be successful ourselves but to enable others to be successful as well” (Rutherford 1).
If Blinn established another chapter of ACL, I would play a crucial role in the organization. I had led this style of fundraising since I was in sixth grade, therefore I had acquired all the optimum ways to get things done and in the most efficient way possible. Over the last four years, I had the most profitable lemonade stand over anyone in ACL. I learned details, including the best location to put the stand according to what was going on around the town, and what the weather forecast predicted. Not to mention, I am a naturally skilled salesman with the ability to convince people to donate even if they do not want lemonade. With my experience in fundraising, my ability to sell, and my leadership skills, I could be the biggest benefit of this program and bring it above and beyond.
ACL’s foundation lies in establishing leaders.
A quote from the ACL newsletter recites, “ACL’s culture, and goal, is to spin that “negative” into a “positive” by enabling our young men to learn how to be successful, to contribute to the organization and community, and to develop their self-esteem based on real-life experiences at a very young age” (ACL 4). Blinn implementing this program into their school will enable the students and I to grow in multiple aspects. It will help us learn teamwork, the ability to think outside of the box, and how to lead. The skills learned from ACL could be used throughout any type of business or any type of job in general. These skills paired with the information acquired in classes would prepare me for any type of situation I could encounter in the real
world.
To see the effects ACL had on the lives of others was a once and a lifetime opportunity to experience. If Blinn started another chapter of ACL in exchange for credit, I could truly make a huge impact on those in need of financial help. Not only would it affect the less fortunate, but allow me to learn real-life experiences and motivate me to achieve the best grades possible due to the free 15 credit hours of volunteering. In conclusion, implementing this organization would impact my future, and change the lives of the less fortunate people around the world.