 Fourth Graders at Hollin Meadows orginized a Dance-A-Thon event to raise money for Save the Children, a non-profit working in southeast Asia to provide relief for children affected by the disaster. |
February
4, 2005 Students from Hollin Meadows Elementary School organized a fund raiser to raise money for young children whose lives have been affected by the tsunami disaster in southeast Asia. The effort began with a class discussion among a group of fourth graders on the day students returned from winter break. A class mate had spent his vacation in India, and students came to school very concerned for his safty. As the day progressed, students were relieved to hear that their peer had left India before the earthquake that caused the tsunami had occured. The experience hit close to home for many students as they realized that many children in Asia had lost friends, parents, family and homes. |
| "
We may not be able to bring the children's moms and dads back, but
we would like to help a lot," said William, a fourth grader at
Hollin Meadows. Students wrote letters to political representatives,
urging them to support public funding for tsunami victims. In her
letter to President Bush, Yunica wrote, "Helping people is important
to me because I want to live in a peaceful world. I think it was a
good choice to help the children by raising money. I think you should
come to the Dance-A-Thon and give a donation to help too." Students also made posters, flyers, and banners to promote the event at which dance teams gathered pledges for each hour they danced. Students also gave speeches at PTA and student council meetings to ask for the support of those groups. "We can make people who are in danger feel safe, and doing this will show others how to live a peaceful life," said Angeli in her speech to the PTA. Students were pleased with their success in raising over $2,000 to send to Save the Children, a non-profit organization that is helping children in southeast Asia, and learned that if you work hard, you can make a difference. |
|
