REGION - Although some of the younger students in the elementary schools in these towns have never even heard of Haiti before, they have been ready and willing to help the people who live there.
All of the elementary schools in the Tantasqua/Union 61 district participated in fundraising efforts last week to assist the efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

Brookfield Elementary School

The administration at Brookfield Elementary School decided to hold a “Pocket Donation” drive, so that everyone could participate. During this drive, students were asked to donate their pocket change each morning after the morning announcements. Big blue jugs were set up in each grade area, and Principal Kathleen Hosterman played Pennies from Heaven over the intercom.
The students raised $1,200. An additional $300 was donated by staff members, for a total of $1,500.
“I’m very, very proud of them,” Hosterman said. “I wanted the students to make a connection between the donation and getting a feeling of importance of what they have done and that they can bring people together for a common cause.”
North Brookfield Savings Bank, through CEO Donna L. Boulanger, volunteered to count the coins for free.
“Lots of thanks go to them,” Hosterman said. “It saved us hours of volunteer work rolling the coins.”

Brimfield Elementary School

Brimfield Elementary School held a competition between the grades to see who could raise the most money. The competition was held over two weeks, and concluded Jan. 29 with a Spirit Day, in which students paid $1 to wear sports clothing to school. As of Jan. 29, the students had raised nearly $2,000, which will be donated to the Red Cross.

Burgess Elementary School

Burgess Elementary School decided to tie in their fundraising efforts with the “Read to Feed” program they hold each year, in which students secure donations from friends and family for each book they read outside of school assignments. The program runs from Jan. 5 through March 4.
Funds raised are donated to Heifer International, an organization that provides farm animals for families in order to help them become self-sustaining. Heifer International has had a presence in Haiti for 10 years.
“This is an opportunity to get the students a wider global perspective and to realize that children can make a difference in the world,” said librarian Sarah Swift. “They realize the money they raise is going somewhere in the world to give a family a better life.”
The funds will be donated to Heifer International in April.
“This is a country that has to rebuild from the ground up,” Swift said. “Our money is going to come into use when they still need the funds and we’re happy with that.”

Holland Elementary School

The students at Holland Elementary School held a “Hats for Haiti” day Jan. 22, in which they donated $1 to wear a hat to school for the day. Many of the students chose to participate, and they raised $273, which was donated to Doctors Without Borders last week.
“We chose Doctors Without Borders because we know they are such a great organization and they already have a large presence in Haiti,” school nurse Ruth Andrews-Bys said.

Wales Elementary School

The administration at Wales Elementary School decided to tap into their pool of parents to raise money. Principal Richard Zinkus sent a notification to parents asking them for donations and set a goal of $200. As of Jan. 29, $948.44 had been donated by parents. Zinkus said he was very pleased that a school of 168 students could raise that much money.
The funds will be donated to the American Red Cross office in Springfield. In addition, a bulletin board was created where students could sign their names, as a way for the students to participate as well.