LANSDALE- With years of experience and an undying passion for supporting children who are battling cancer, Hannah Gardner, senior at NPHS, held her 6^th annual movie night this past Saturday, September 17^th. Hosted entirely on the front lawn of her house, Gardner was proud to announce that at the end of the night over $1,700 was raised.

From the moment they check in at the front desk located at the entrance of her driveway, guests are given the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities: designing handmade cards for children in the hospital, choosing a face paint design, playing basketball and other activities in the temporarily blocked off street, purchasing raffle tickets, food and drinks, or bows that Gardner made herself, and more. Zootopia, the movie selected for this year, started playing when the sun went down, and family, friends, and community members gathered on lawn chairs and blankets in the grass. During intermission, guests were awarded their raffle baskets and Gardner made a speech thanking those in attendance and her supporters and explaining what motivates her to advocate and fundraise for childhood cancer.

Proving to succeed year after year since she started in seventh grade, Gardner discussed how her movie night has developed.

“Over time, more people have come. Each year we raise more and more money,” stated Gardner. “The first year it went up from $600 to $700, but the last movie night, we almost raised $2,000. More people have come, and it’s better planned. This year we received more raffle basket donations, expanded how much food we sell, and have more activities. The first year was a pretty basic fundraiser, and now it’s very elaborate. I use the same mold from the first one, but each year we add on to it.”

However, such a successful fundraiser could never continually improve without dedication and preparation. By advertising through flyers, social media, and word of mouth as early as the first week of August, Gardner ensures that the community saves the date for her annual event. Additionally, Gardner requests raffle basket, food, and drink donations and reaches out to her friends to serve as volunteers during the event. Gardner emphasized the importance of getting the word out; she can prepare everything, but there’s no event if no one attends.

Chloe Gardner, Gardner’s younger sister who is a student at Penndale Middle School, explained that she tries to help her sister in whatever way she can through advertising, purchasing things, and setting up. In regards to this past movie night, she explained that she and her school counselor Mr. Joy placed a flyer for the event in every student’s locker and convinced the adviser of NJHS to award two service hours to every member in attendance.

“She’s definitely someone to look up to in my life and is a big role model,” explained Gardner’s sister. “I think we’re all very proud of her for the things she’s accomplished and wants to do. She’s a big person to look up to in my life.”

Brittny Pham, a senior at NPHS, has been a volunteer for the event since ninth grade and explained that she assists with setting up at the event, checking in the guests, and ensuring that everyone enjoys their evening. Mentioning Gardner’s positive attitude, Pham explained what motivated her to become a volunteer.

“Hannah is so enthusiastic and passionate about this event and about her helping kids who are less fortunate than us is what really drove me to want to help her,” explained Pham. “There’s a lot of people who obviously want to do something about cancer, but I think Hannah’s initiative and passion about it is what really drove me to want to come here and help her with it.”

Just as Gardner’s sister and Pham were inspired by Gardner to support the cause, Gardner was motivated to create her own foundation, Hannah’s Hope Jar, by another organization called Kisses for Kyle when she was eleven years old. Stressing the importance of witnessing the effects of her efforts firsthand, Gardner explained that she began fundraising in seventh grade and decided to use the funds to buy children with cancer in the hospital Christmas presents. Additionally, Gardner began helping out at the St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital, where she would provide pantry and toiletry items for the families, allowing her to interact directly with the patients and their families. Over the years, Gardner stated that she has raised over $7,000 through her foundation and explained that the movie night, being the event that raises the most funds, signifies more than one may think.

“Fundraising is something I’m really passionate about, so this movie night is how I can make an impact,” said Gardner. “When I see all the work I put into it, who shows up, and the money we raise, it’s all about the kids. It’s all for those patients that I get to hand a present to and see them light up; that’s really what it’s all about. I just love being able to bring people together for this kind of cause and bring awareness to childhood cancer. It’s very underfunded, and it needs to be talked about more.”