Meridian, Idaho-based Scentsy, the direct seller of personal and home fragrances, recently held its annual Rock-a-Thon that helped to raise $250,384 for the Salvation Army.
Last Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., more than 1,200 volunteers took turns lining the sidewalks in front of Scentsy. Rocking chairs were in motion—all rocking to raise funds and awareness for the Booth Marian Pritchett School for Pregnant and Parenting Teens. The Salvation Army runs the school and plans on using the money raised to help build a much-needed, new building to house the school and a community center.
Scentsy’s owners, Heidi and Orville Thompson donated $250 an hour per chair ($210,000) for the full 12 hours. Another $40,384 was donated by the community, local businesses and the food trucks that were on site for the event.
“The funds raised through the Scentsy Rock-a-Thon have brought our fundraising total to $7.3 million toward the $8.5 million needed to build the new school campus and community center,” said Major Bob Lloyd of the Salvation Army. “The new school and community center will allow us to reach more of the 250 teen girls who give birth each year and are trying to finish high school and juggle their new responsibilities as a mom. We are so grateful for the community’s support and appreciate everyone who donated their time and money to help make the event such a success.”
Scentsy employees also held a diaper drive and collected nearly 28,000 wipes and about 13,000 diapers. The diapers and wipes will go a long way to stock the incentive store where students can redeem points earned from attendance and participation to get baby care items. “Since enrolling at Booth Marian Pritchett, I have earned enough points to get all the diapers I need without having to go to the store to buy them,” said Trinity, a current student. “It really helps a lot.”
The Booth Marian Pritchett School Program is the only school of its kind that serves pregnant and parenting teens in the Treasure Valley. The Salvation Army program started in 1921 as Booth Memorial Hospital. In 1964, it entered into a partnership with the Boise School District to provide the girls with the high school education they need to be successful in life and go on to post-secondary education. The school program addresses the unique needs of teen parents, including on-site childcare, an incentive store and special parenting classes.
The Salvation Army’s services include programs that help people transition from crisis to safety and stability—365 days a year. Last year, the Salvation Army Corps in Boise assisted 36,000 youth, adults and seniors with basic needs and programming designed to help break the cycle of poverty. All local programs are funded 100 percent by local donations.
