OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — It's Giving Tuesday, and many people are looking to donate to nonprofits and causes important to them. A West Michigan principal has found his own way to recognize Giving Tuesday and raise money for his school.
Principal Joe Oosterheert is dedicated to staying on the roof of Jenison Christian School until $1 million is raised. He started his time on the roof Tuesday morning.
It's all for the schools' Capital Campaign, which supports improvements to the school each year. This year, school officials are planning to add more classrooms since enrollment has gone up.
The school has welcomed more than 100 additional students in the last three years.
"One of our second grades is currently in the teacher's lounge," Oosterheert said. "So we need to get more classrooms here so we can have more classroom space. And that anyone that wants come to Jenison Christian, make sure we have space for them."
Oosterheert says he's hoping to come down by Tuesday afternoon, but is prepared to stay on the roof until their fundraising goal is reached.
While the school is running out of space for students, Oosterheert says he wants every student to feel welcome.
"We had kids on waitlist this summer. And we do not want to do that," he said. "Like I said, if anyone wants to come to Jenison Christian, we want to have space for them."
The project is slated to be completed next summer.
To donate, stop by the school or visit their website.
The school provided an update Tuesday night that the $1 million had been raised.
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