Stevens Students Support Haiti Relief Effort
Posted January 28, 2010
The students here at Stevens, pride themselves on thinking “out of the box”. Their approach in aiding the Haitian relief effort was no different. Their enthusiasm was overwhelming and they found very creative ways to raise money.
Deeply moved by the tragedy, and in celebration of Martin Luther King’s legacy, children immediately brainstormed to find the most effective methods of raising funds and getting them to the needy as quickly as possible. In the spirit of Martin Luther King, they wanted to DO something, rather than sit by and watch others help.
All 3rd - 8th graders did jobs at home, earning up to $10 for each project. 7th graders organized a coin drive at each of the School’s four buildings. Perhaps the most touching idea came from the 8th graders, who researched the customs and culture of Haiti. On Martin Luther King Day, while many children took advantage of a vacation day, these students spent the day cooking Haitian specialties. At dismissal the next day, they sold hot chocolate, Haitian potato salad, sweet potato pudding, corn fritters and other Haitian snacks.
As always teachers and parents were impressed with their initiatives. It was not a surprise to the faculty and staff at Stevens because students are very connected to their community, both locally and globally. Each year the middle school students choose a charity to support through their annual fundraising event – usually a day of “...athons”. This year was no different. When the earthquake occurred, the students immediately stepped up and did double duty raising funds and educating others about how best to help the effort. So far, the students have raised over $1,200.00 for Hatian relief funds and are expected to have even more money when the coin drive ends on February 18. The money raised will be directed to Doctors Without Borders and the Yele Foundation.
