Photos & Stories: Haiti relief efforts across MMSD

The devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti touched the hearts of students across the district.  When students saw the horrific conditions of the people in Haiti after the disaster, their reaction was to help.  Beyond raising thousands of dollars, they also learned that their care and compassion could affect others even in another country.   Here are a few examples of fundraising efforts in the MMSD:

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NEON Program - (New Educational Options and Networking)

The students at NEON organized a fundraiser for the Haitian people who suffered during the earthquake.  They partnered with Partners in Health Organization, designed and created a website, (pictured below is teacher Andrea Sprenglemeyer and Jermaine working on the website) set a goal and surpassed it, actually doubling their goal.   The website includes reflections by some students in the NEON program.

NEON students set the goal to raise $200.  In total they raised $673. Students raised $85 for the Red Cross and $588 for Partners in Health via their web page, checks and coin collection cans. LEAP (Landmark Elementary Alternative Program) students and staff and sixth graders at Whitehorse MS also helped NEON with their efforts.  (Pictured below is Dezaray making a coin collection can.)

 

 

For a small group of kids they were able to affect change and make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate as well as a difference in their lives.  It was quite powerful experience for the students.

 

 

 

 

 

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HUEGEL ES:

Huegel ES raised $1,627.50 to give to the Haitiain Congress to fortify Haiti.  In addition to a cash donation, families donated food, blankets, summer clothing, and medical supplies.  One parent donated over $3,000 in medical supplies including air casts, bandages, and pulse meters.  

A parent, Tatiana Jaen, a Miami Florida native spearheaded this fund raiser and was joined by the Huegel  student council.  To raise money, students collected donations in their classrooms and held a rubber duck sale!  The fund raiser was celebrated with an all-school assembly featuring music that kids learned about giving and caring for each other. 

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LINCOLN ES:

Lincoln  Elementary recently held a celebration assembly as the culmination of a two week Penny Drive for Haiti.  The money raised was turned over to a representative of the American Red Cross who gave a short video presentation to show the students how the money is spent to help the people of Haiti. 

 

(Pictured: l-r: School psychology intern Anna LaLoggia, Red Cross Rep. Anke Boudreau, Park Bank officer Ronald Cato, and school psychologist Lauren Mikol along with the five Lincoln leadership students.)

An officer of Park Bank, Mr. Ronald Cato, himself a graduate from Lincoln when it was a junior high school, helped set up an account for the fundraiser and brought over a big check to present for all the cash donations that had been made.

The Penny Drive was spear headed by Lauren Mikol, School Psychologist and Anna LaLoggia, School Psychology Intern, along with five 4^th and 5^th grade girls who have been involved in a leadership skills group.  The original goal was for Lincoln students to raise $20 per classroom, which would total up to $500, to be matched by parent and staff pledged donations, for a total of $1000.   Each classroom that met the $20 donation goal was promised a popcorn party and Point Cinema donated 400 servings of popcorn for the classroom popcorn parties.  

The Lincoln Community really rose to the challenge of raising money for Haiti Relief through the American Red Cross, bringing in baggies full of pennies, dimes, nickels, quarters and small bills (but mostly pennies) and ended up raising $2,360.85 in cash donations.  The matching donations, coming in from 32 parents, staff and parent businesses, added another $1,340.30 for a grand total given to the American Red Cross today from Lincoln School of $3,701.15.