Print
E-Mail
tool name
closeA new lesson plan
Peninsula schools respond to Haiti tragedy with outpouring of support
Nate Hulings
of the Gateway
The island nation of Haiti has gone through unimaginable trauma and loss in the past three weeks. Those not left beneath the rubble caused by the magnitude-7 earthquake have been left mourning the loss of a parent, sibling or best friend while having a leg amputated, suffering from disease, or, at best, having no home.
And while it’s impossible for most to comprehend the level of grief and tragedy that has overcome the Haitian people, international support, even from Gig Harbor residents, is helping people who are now asking for the most basic necessities.
Since the initial earthquake struck Haiti on Jan. 12, the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula communities have emerged as a shining beacon of hope, with local schools being the driving force.
The Peninsula Gateway has received several student- and staff-submitted stories as well as many responses about local drives. The following shows how even the smallest communities are giving back.
Kopachuck Middle School
Remembering those lost in Haiti began with a moment of silence during morning announcements, and that was just the start of a huge outpouring from the student body.
At first, students wanted to raise $1,000, a goal that was easily eclipsed by week’s end.
After one week of raising money though the Haiti Relief Fund coin drive, students raised more than $2,400, and all of it was sent to the American Red Cross.
Teachers also got into the act by providing pizza for the students who brought in the most donations.
But not even pizza could turn students’ attention away from the crisis.
“I do not feel right about eating a pizza because I helped to raise money to buy food for people in Haiti,” student Hadley Reeder said. “I would like the money that would be spent by teachers to buy my pizza, be given to the Haiti Relief Fund, instead of buying food for me.”
Goodman Middle School
From tennis shoes to flip-flops, Goodman students were inspired to send shoes to Haiti. They followed in the footsteps of Molly Hightower, a Port Orchard woman who died in Haiti while she volunteered at an orphanage. Hightower already had set up two shoe drives prior to her death, and Goodman students wanted to help continue the mission.
So far, Goodman students have brought in 200 pairs of shoes.
Mariah Austin, a Goodman leadership student, said the shoe drive helps make necessities, such as shoes, less of a thing to worry about.
“This shoe drive is important because some kids in Haiti have to worry about so many things already,” she said. “Shoes should not be on that list.”
The drive will run until Feb. 10.
Artondale Elementary
The school’s Super Supply Shop raised $380 last week to aid the victims of the earthquake.
Peninsula High School
The school’s leadership class is holding a fundraiser to benefit the Our Little Brothers and Sisters Orphanage in Petionville, Haiti. Leadership teacher Mary Lyssand lost a family friend in the quake, and she said even a $1-per-student donation will go a long way to help out.
“We want to challenge every student to donate just $1,” she said. “That $1 can feed an orphan in Haiti for three days. They lost so much staff, equipment, and they’re in dire need for supplies and water.”
So far, the school has raised $1,120 in two class periods. All donations will go to the orphanage, and Lyssand hopes PHS can someday adopt the orphanage as a “sister school.”
Harbor Heights Elementary
After the quake, a group of fifth-graders formed a group called “Harbor Heights Haiti Helpers.” Under the guidance of a school social worker, the children plan to facilitate a coin drive from Feb. 22-26.
Collection jars will be placed throughout the school, and donations will go to MercyCorps.
The school hopes to raise $2,000; an anonymous donor also pledged to match the donation up to $1,000.
St. Nicholas Catholic School
William Tebb, a third-grader, thought of an idea to start a change drive, with donations going to Catholic Relief Services. After he got approval from his principal, containers headed out to classrooms.
Since the drive began, students have been bringing in their allowance money to help those in need. An $8 donation can provide food to one Haitian in need. For every $40 students donate, Catholic Relief Services can feed a family of five.