#FlamesStrong Giving Day, April 22, 2020
Donations of any size are welcome today to support our COVID-19 Aid Fund to assure that EMS stays #FlamesStrong in tough times.
Nearly $27,000 Raised in One Day for COVID-19 Aid Fund!

See a thank you video from the Advancement team!
Our community came out strong to support our COVID-19 Aid Fund on April 22, 2020! Donors gave 98 gifts totaling $26,920!
Gifts came from faculty, staff, parents, alumni, friends and even a current student. Our Board of Directors, and other supporters, provided the first $2,500 as matching funds.
Thank you! The funds will help to assure that no family needs to leave the EMS community due to COVID-19 hardships.
Throughout the day, EMS offered incentives for gifts of any size. Donor names were drawn during designated hours. Felicity Zimmerman, class of '19, won the pair of earrings that were available to alumni from the class of 2010 or younger who made a gift of any size. Thank you, Felicity, and all who participated! See other winners below!


7 to 10 a.m.: Make a gift of any size and be entered in a drawing for an EMS waterproof picnic blanket. Winner: Shannon Yoder '03 Roth: current parent and faculty member
Paul Leaman, head of school, shares his thoughts and appreciation in this video about how we are staying strong together, five weeks into our closure.

10 to 11 a.m. -- Make a gift of any size and be entered into a drawing for an EMS vacuum insulated travel tumbler. Winner: Greta Shenk '05 Bucher
In this video, Sarah DeBrun Mitch shares from her perspective as an EMS parent and as a science teacher.

11 a.m. to noon -- Snail mail means more now than ever. Here are blank greeting cards featuring student artwork and photography. Make a donation today of any size and be entered into a drawing for a 10-pack of greeting cards and envelopes. Winner: Melodie '01 Bomberger May
Maria Archer, K-8 principal, and Justin King, high school principal, share about the school in this video from their perspective... and it's really encouraging!

Noon to 2 p.m. -- This chip and dip platter set by Herb Weaver '75 will be given to some lucky person who makes a gift to the EMS COVID-19 Aid Fund between noon and 2 p.m. today. Use it for those you are staying safe with, or break it out for the gatherings that are soon to come! Winner: Charles Hendricks, current parent and designer of the EMES building
Enjoy this video tour of Herb's studio and interview. Herb is an alumnus, former EMHS art teacher (1980-85), long-time professor and creator extraordinaire. Read about the ceramic mugs he has provided for graduating seniors since 2006 and alumni award gifts.

2 to 4 p.m. -- In 2006 (pictured in the '06 yearbook), EMS put on Les Miserable, a big undertaking. We are doing it again! Make a gift of any size and be entered into a drawing for two tickets to the January 2021 EMS production of Les Miserables. Winner: Julianne Burkholder '01 Ross, current parent and EMS librarian
In this video, Joy Anderson, K-5 music teacher, musical director and middle school play director, talks about why it's time to put on Les Mis and the arts at EMS.

4 to 6 p.m. -- Give a gift of any size and be entered into a drawing for a Booster Club membership. This $75 value gets the holder and a guest access to all EMS athletic events. Winner: Andrew Zapanta'93 and Alumni Board member
See a video with Andrew Gascho, athletic director and girls varsity soccer coach, and Radella Vrolijk, long-time Booster Club member, Board of Directors member, and student-athlete mother of four.

6 to 8 p.m. -- EMS has proudly hosted the internationally acclaimed a capella group VOCES8 for more than 10 years. Next winter, we will welcome their professional colleagues, Apollo 5 to EMS. Give a gift of any size and be entered into a drawing for two tickets to the group at EMS in February 2021. Winner: Marvin Miller, former long-time EMS choral director

8 p.m. to midnight -- It's time to wrap up warm and this EMS fleece throw is the perfect thing. Each member of the class of 2020 will receive one of these soft blankets as the advancement team welcomes them to the alumni association this spring. You can be entered in a drawing for one of these blankets when you make a gift of any size during these hours. Winner: Kelli Nichols, current parent
In this video, Julie Weaver '20 and Jenna Weaver '21, share a bit about life as an EMS student during COVID-19.