Douglas High School Starfish Club Spreading Hope to Those in Need Across the Border

DOUGLAS– Sept. 26, 2008 – Geographically, the adjacent cities of Douglas, Ariz., and Agua Prieta, Sonora couldn’t be any closer together. Only the US -Mexico border stands between the two communities.

Economically, however, a wide chasm separates the sister cities.

Through a variety of community service projects and fundraisers, Douglas High School Assistant Principal Daniel Bates and more than 30 of his students are working to close that gap. They have formed the Starfish Club in an attempt to fight poverty and provide a brighter future for their neighbors across the border.

In their efforts to make a difference, the Starfish Club has aligned itself with The Starfish Difference, a non-profit organization comprised primarily of senior citizens. The organization’s mission is “…to improve the lives of some of the most poor and destitute human beings – mostly in the small town of Agua Prieta.”

The alliance began in August, 2006 when Bates – then a newcomer to the Douglas area – picked up a local newspaper. Already knowing he wanted to become more deeply involved in the local community, Bates stumbled across a story about The Starfish Difference. He was immediately intrigued about how the group was impacting people’s lives.

After an appointment with the group’s founders, Bates decided to make a one day trip while the group made its “rounds” in Agua Prieta.

“All it took was one trip and I was hooked,” Bates said. “I was very impressed that the goal was not to give people things, but to help out those people who were trying to help themselves.”

Before long, Bates was making trips to Agua Prieta once or twice a week. He started putting up pictures in his office of some of the people he had helped. Those pictures would spark an interest amongst Bates’ students and eventually become the catalyst behind the formation of the Starfish Club.

“The students really wanted to get involved,” Bates said. “I think this allows the kids to see how just a few miles away things can be so very different in terms of living conditions.”

Bates said since the Starfish Club has started, the group has assisted The Starfish Difference with raising money and delivering food and schools supplies to those in need. The students have also participated in a Thanksgiving dinner feeding more than 500 people, and in a Christmas Caravan providing small gifts to needy families.

Senior Estaffany Peralta said her experiences in the Starfish Club have helped her to appreciate her educational opportunities.

“As we go over there and see people who can’t go to school,” Peralta explained, “it makes me more dedicated to be successful and take my studies seriously.”

Fellow senior Dominique Duarte added, “This makes me grateful for the teachers I have and everything they do for me. And as a person, it makes me feel good …that I can care and help others to improve their lives.”

Bates said he would like to see other Arizona schools become involved with the Starfish Club’s efforts. He said any schools wishing to adopt an Agua Prieta family can contact him directly at (520) 364-3462, ext. 8 for more information.