BC News

BC students' thoughts, hearts, hands and donations go out to Haiti
Release Date: February 12, 2010

Moved by the devastation in Haiti wrought by last month's earthquake, students across the district sprung into action, raising nearly $5,000 and counting for a variety of relief efforts from the United Nations Haiti Relief Fund to Doctors Without Borders.

At Glenmont last week, a "Swinging for Haiti" dance event yielded more than $1,300 for the American Red Cross. The evening also included a video, produced by Glenmont students, about Haiti, its people and the challenges they face.

Several efforts are underway at BCMS, with collections being taken at special events such as basketball games and productions of "The Music Man," and activities like bagel sales, a read-a-thon and bottle drive either ongoing or scheduled.

Students in Mr. Klamka's 8th grade French classes (French is one of the official languages of Haiti) students raised more than $1,000 in "penny wars." Each of his classes set up their own jars to see who could raise the most through coins and small bills.

Student Anna Kreinberg said she was moved to donate through news reports and pictures out of Haiti over the past few weeks.

"The pictures were sad and scary," she said. "You take so much time to build a life for yourself and it all comes down in a matter of minutes. That sort of destruction and devastation is really sad.

Coin drives at at Clarksville, Elsmere, and Hamagrael netted another $2,500 for relief efforts to benefit the United Nations Haiti Relief Fund and the American Red Cross. Both Hamagrael and Elsmere are still collecting, and Elsmere also has a "Hoops for Haiti" event in the works.

High School students, led by Student Senate President Samuel Stern, recently launched "Hearts for Haiti," a fundraising drive in the community. You may see "Hearts for Haiti" bottles at local establishments in the community.
Proceeds from the High School effort will benefit Doctors Without Borders. For a brochure about Hearts for Haiti, click here.

Both Eagle and Slingerlands elementary schools have exciting activities to benefit Haiti in full swing.

Eagle is selling, "Hearts for Haiti," for $1 apiece. Students purchase a heart, dedicate it to a friend, family member or organization, and it is displayed in the front foyer and around the building. The sale will continue through Feb. 12.

At Slingerlands, a "Hands for Haiti" drive is ongoing. Children and families can purchase the hands for $1 to benefit the American Red Cross. They are available at the school store and will be on sale at this week's lip sync. The school plans to form a rainbow with the hands to demonstrate its support for the people of Haiti.

8th Grade Students on Haiti Relief Efforts

"I think it's important to do something for Haiti because the entire country is devastated. In America, we have a life of excess. We're allowed to do great things for ourselves, so we should do things for other people that allow them to do great things for their country.- Anna Kreinberg

"We should put ourselves in the Haitians position because we don't know what it's like. Hopefully we can help them."- Garrett Broderick

"We're not old enough to go help people there, so this is a way we can help people while being here." - Max Buhrman

"It's important to help Haiti because we're a world power. It's our job to do it. Even though we're in a [recession] I think it's great we can still find a way to help other countries in need." -Eric Smith

"All the people of Haiti represent the possibility of changing the world. When people are dying you are losing the possibility of change." –Elizabeth Cultrara

 

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