District Students Respond to the Tragedy in Haiti

Many students and schools in the Christina School District have responded to the tragedy of the Haiti earthquake by holding fundraisers, collecting shoes and other needed items, and finding ways to show they care.  Students at Smith Elementary School donated a total of $1,200 to the Shoes2Share organization, a local organization that holds shoe drives and fundraisers for the country of Haiti. 

Tim Wampler, president of Shoes2Share stated, "We at Shoes2Share are so thankful to the staff and student body of Jenny Smith Elementary.  Their energy and compassionate support in helping the hurting people of Haiti through Shoes2Share "Operation THERE" project is tremendous."  Several Smith Elementary staff members noted that some students raided their piggy banks to donate money to help the people of Haiti.

McVey Elementary School also partnered with Shoes2Share, collecting shoes and small toys for Haiti.  Staff member, Vivian Sartori brought in tubs to collect the shoes and toys McVey children brought to donate each day.  The shoes and other items weredonated the week of February 8.

Porter Road Elementary School Student Council launched a school wide charity fundraiser called Helping Hands for Haiti from January 20-27.  During this weeklong event, the students were asked to bring in coin donations to give to the Red Cross in its relief efforts of the earthquake in Haiti.  The Student Council distributed coin containers to each classroom and collected the change each day - they also sponsored a "Jeans Day" where staff members wishing to wear jeans would pay $1.00 and students wishing to wear jeans could pay 25 cents to do so.  The weeklong community service project brought in over $800 in donations to the Red Cross.  The students were very involved and into really reaching out to the victims of Haiti... one kindergartener brought in his money from the tooth fairy - he wanted the earthquake victims to have the money he got from losing his tooth.  "It's amazing how giving, caring and considerate children are in the face of tragedy," said Megan O'Donnell, Porter Road lementary Counselor.

The Marshall Elementary School Student Council held a "Wear Your Favorite Team Jersey Day" raising $500 to send to Haiti.  Every teacher and student who wore a team jersey donated $1 to the cause.  What a great success it was and wonderful to see the compassion Marshall students have for the people of Haiti.

The students and staff of Christiana High School held a "Hats 4 Haiti" fundraiser beginning Monday, January 25.  A number of student organizations collected $1 donations from students and staff during lunch periods January 25-29.  For their $1 donation, participates wore the hat of their choice in school all day on Friday, January 29.  A total of $1,521 was collected which  will be matched by the United Way of Delaware.  In a very close race, the 11th grade was the winning team raising $400 and were treated to pizza and soda party.  Special thanks to Dean of Students, Mr. Darwin Manges for helping to organize the event and congratulations to the Class of 2011 for their winning participation!

The members of the Newark High School Brothers and Sisters Student Union Club (BASSU), in an effort to support the Haiti Disaster Relief Effort, collected monetary donations the week of January 25.  All contributions were donated to the American Red Cross. 

Students and faculty at Bayard Middle School raised $1,116 for a Haiti relief fund by dressing down for a day.  Almost everyone participated, Principal Donald Patton said.  Students donated $1 each to not wear their uniforms, and each faculty and staff member gave $5 to dress down.

The 509 teachers at Gauger-Cobbs Middle School organized a school-wide effort, Operation Haiti...Gauger Cares!  Under the leadership of Ms. Turner and several of her students, money was collected for 5 days during each of the three lunches.  It was evident that the students and staff at Gauger-Cobbs truly do care.  Through their generous donations, a grand total of $707.24 was raised.  This money will be donated to the Red Cross to help the victims of the earth quake.  What an outstanding school-wide effort. 

Brookside Elementary School staff is sponsoring a UNICEF “School in a Box” kit for Haiti.  The kit will furnish a Field School with a box of materials for a classroom. 

Maclary Elementary School sponsored a "Hearts for Haiti" campaign for the relief effort.  When students and staff donated money their names were added to a paper heart that was displayed in the school.  Each heart represented '4 miles'.  The goal was to have enough hearts to cover the 1,507 miles between Maclary and Haiti.  Thanks to a high percentage of participants, the Maclary community went the 'distance', raising $1,207.

Downes Elementary School students donated $90.25 to the American Red Cross to help the people in Haiti, organized by the 3rd grade classes. The school received a special note of thanks from the American Red Cross for its donation.

Students at Leasure Elementary School held a fundraiser called "Change for  Haiti."  Students brought in loose change and the school goal was $600, about $1 per student.  Leasure also held a "Hat for Haiti Day" for students and a Jeans Day for teachers to raise additional money.  In the two weeks of the campaign, the students raised over twice the goal with a total of $1250!  The money was sent to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund where 100% of the donation will go directly to the relief efforts in Haiti.  The students, parents and teachers of Leasure were very excited to be able to help out the people of Haiti.

At Pulaski Elementary School, Pulaski staff held a recent fundraiser to help the District's homeless families, which had a positive impact on the entire school, and led to a similar fundraiser for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.  After seeing their teachers and staff collect more than $250 worth of goods, Pulaski students wanted to bring in donations of coins and other currency for the Helping Haiti Campaign.  In two weeks, the children generously donated $500 to the United Way and Red Cross.

Helping Haiti!
Yes, we can!
Everyone can lend a hand.
We'll bring in coins to do our part
because we care deep in our hearts!
Helping Haiti, you and me!
Helping Haiti, Pulaski!