Fort Fairfield Elementary collects
‘Coins for Haiti’
FORT FAIRFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL recently collected “Coins for Haiti.” Containers were placed in the classrooms and children brought in coins that were donated to the American Red Cross to benefit the victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake that struck Haiti. Proceeds from the sale of Smencils, which are “gourmet” pencils that come in a variety of scents, were also added to the relief fund. At a special assembly last Friday, a $1,001.48 check was presented to representatives of the American Red Cross. Pictured are, front row, from left: Ken Urquhart, disaster relief volunteer for the American Red Cross; Cassidy Coiley, Dixie Grady, Mindy York, and Kristi Herron, American Red Cross volunteer. Back row: Gianna Potter and Principal Sue Parks.
Staff Writer
FORT FAIRFIELD – When children at Fort Fairfield Elementary School watched the news last month showing the devastation caused by the Jan. 12 earthquake that struck Haiti, they immediately wanted to help.
“Third-graders in Mrs. [Karen] Wark’s class had seen signs on television saying ‘Need water,’ ‘Need medical attention,’ ‘Need shelter,’ and they really wanted to help out with the Haitian situation,” said Sue Parks, school principal, at a special assembly held last Friday. “So they asked me to come talk to them about some of the ideas they had.
“We decided that we would collect ‘Coins for Haiti.’ Containers were placed in the classrooms and students brought in pennies, nickels and dimes,” she said. “Everyone brought in what they could find. I had kids who found money on the bus or in parking lots and they brought the coins in. It was a school-wide effort.”
In addition to bringing in change, many students also helped roll the coins.
“One kindergarten class wrapped $73 worth of coins,” said Parks. “They told me that they learned that pennies stink.
“We also had members of the Civil Rights Team who helped wrap pennies. Almost every recess, Gianna Potter and Mindy York gave up their recess time to help wrap coins,” she said. “Students Cassidy Coiley and Dixie Grady were the two spokespersons who gave me some ideas. They were the ones we bounced some ideas off, and we appreciate their willingness to take the initiative on the part of all students here to get this started.”
The school also sold Smencils, which are “gourmet” pencils that come in a variety of scents, for $1 each and the profits were added to the Haitian relief fund. As of last Friday morning, 820 Smencils were sold.
At the assembly, a $1,001.48 check was presented to representatives of the American Red Cross.
“I want to thank you on behalf of the American Red Cross for the wonderful thing you’ve done and how much help it will be for all the people who are suffering in Haiti right now,” said Ken Urquhart, disaster relief volunteer for the American Red Cross. “Currently things are getting a little bit better. Initially people had no place to go, no place to live, lots of cave-ins, people were trapped under rubble and cement, and relief efforts were sent there from all over the world.
“There were two hospitals in that area that were still standing, and as people were rescued, they were brought to these hospitals. Shelters made from blue tarps were set up outside the hospitals, and people and their families stayed under these tarps,” he said. “Doctors who were volunteering would help carry people in because they were hurt, but things are getting better. People are assisting, water is being brought in, and your donation will be used in so many ways to feed people, to buy medical supplies and clothing, or maybe even a teddy bear and some toys. I want to thank you very, very much for all you’ve done. Keep it up; there’s a lot of joy in giving and helping others.”
Parks said when they started planning the collection drive, all agreed they would be happy if each child brought in $1.
“What we raised represents over $3 for every student in the school. That’s a tremendous effort on your part, so thank you all very much,” Parks told the students at the assembly.
York and Potter said they were both happy to help.
“I wanted to help because Haiti lost everything they had, and I thought it would be nice to help them get money to get things,” said York, who one day rolled $30 worth of dimes. “It made me feel good knowing I was helping people.”
“I went down every recess for a couple weeks to roll ‘Coins for Haiti,’” said Potter. “I knew it would be a nice thing to do to give them money for medical supplies and food. I was shocked to learn we had collected $1,001; I thought we might raise $600-$700. I’m happy we raised so much money.”
