Ash Lee Jefferson students show they have big hearts for Haiti
Fall River (D2N) – Children from local schools in the Fall River community, put forth efforts recently to raise funds for Haiti. Ash Lee Jefferson school was one of the schools involved; their fund-raising campaign was called Hearts for Haiti – an idea put forth by two grade six students.
Vice-principal Adena Leslie-Cole spoke of how the initial idea for the fund-raising campaign came about. “I had a couple of students meet me at the door one day,” she said. “Liam Hodder and Greg West asked me, “Is there anything we can do to raise money for Haiti’s victims?”
“I told them to come and see me and we’d talk about it,” said Ms. Leslie Cole.
The boys took the vice-principal up on her offer, and after a bit of brainstorming an idea was born. “Basically, we discussed what had happened in Haiti; we talked about how the people there need clean water, medical supplies, and shelter. We informed students they could buy a pink heart for $1 and the proceedings would go to Haitian victims,” said Ms. Lesli-Cole. “We sent an email to parents telling what we were doing.”
Greg West and his friend Liam Hodder shared what gave them the initial idea to raise money for Haiti. “Well basically, ,my mother was watching the news and it said there was an earthquake in Haiti,” said Greg. “She told me about what happened, and I said I wanted to do something to help the people there.” Greg discussed the idea with his buddy Liam, and the friends decided to discuss it all with Ms. Leslie-Cole.
Ash Lee Jefferson students rose to the occasion; some brought in their allowance , and some brought in their piggie banks. Others did chores and raised money to donate. “It was amazing,” said Ms. Leslie Cole, “in the end, in one week, the kids raised $5082.97.”
Ash Lee Jefferson principal David Fowlie is very pleased by the efforts of the students. “Their concern and their compassion for the people of Haiti is very humbling,” he said. “Five and six year olds came in with their pennies and nickels, some with whatever they had in their piggie banks. Once again, this community has gone beyond in their response to others in need, in giving their support when it was needed by others.
The funds raised at Ash Lee Jefferson will probably be donated to the Red Cross. “They are well-organized, and always ready to assist in other places and other countries,” said Mr. Fowlie. “So that is what we are seriously looking at right now.”
The funds were matched by the Canadian government, “We really wanted to donate the money through an organization which would have it’s funds matched by the government,” said Ms. Leslie-Cole. “And they will be.”
She praised the children, as well as the moms and dads for their worthwhile efforts and contributions. “The kids did a fantastic job. The students and the parents at Ash lee Jefferson, they always respond in a way like this – positively. From local food drives at Christmas, to their response to others in need around the world, it’s wonderful. There are 640 kids at Ash Lee; we had hoped to raise maybe $2000. They raised $5082.97 – that’s pretty special.”