NILES ­— The Hagen Insurance Agency presented History Club students at Brandywine High School with a $250 check on Dec. 20. The funds from the local insurance agency will be used to help students take one step closer to raising money for a summer trip to Philadelphia and Boston from June 23 to 29.

Dave Roeder, the History Club founder and Brandywine High School social studies teacher, said he appreciated the donation and plans to use it to pay for students’ T-shirts for the trip.

Through the History Club, Roeder said he seeks to engage youth in history through hands on activities, as well as helping history come alive by visiting places where history was made.

“It is one thing to read about the Declaration of Independence, but to stand in the building where it was signed — [that] has a lot of meaning,” Roeder said.

Students need to raise about $1,260 each to be able to participate in the trip. So far, about 40 people, including faculty and students, have signed up to go.

This year’s trip has the aim to teach students about the founding fathers. The itinerary will include a visit to the JFK Museum, Paul Revere’s home, and a nighttime cruise in Boston Harbor and Independence Hall, to name just a few.

“The goal of the history club is to get them outside of the classroom to explore,” Roeder said.

“It is a fun social gathering. Some don’t get the opportunity to travel much outside of Niles. I have had students that have seen the ocean for the first time so it means a lot to them.”

Throughout the school year, students fundraise for the trip by selling pizza, popcorn and helping to host lock-ins, where students get to participate in evening educational activities. Having some additional help from a local business will be an extra boost, he said.

“That is a big help. We will probably in the near future apply for some things through the Gateway and Brandywine Foundation, to make their last payments,” Roeder said. “Any group or corporation that would want to donate is welcome to do so.”

Abbi Wegner, the owner of the Hagen Insurance Agency, which was previously owned by her dad, Dean Hagen, said she was happy to help with a good cause.

“We are just trying to give back to the educational community,” Wegner said.

The Hagen Agency is a local Meemic Insurance agency. The Meemic Foundation helps to provide grants to support teachers and educational opportunities. Hagen could be reimbursed by Meemic for about half of what was donated to the school.