Oneonta Schools Moved To Help Stricken Haitians

1-29-11

By LAURA COX
OHS’ French Club was selling Hershey Kisses and sending the proceeds to Haiti.
Sapphira Koerner, an adoptee from Haiti, was briefing her classmates at Greater Plains Elementary about her homeland.
And Valleyview Elementary pupils were posting “Hearts For Haiti” on the school’s wall to dramatize their solidarity with suffering youngsters on that Caribbean isle, where the death toll in the 7.0-magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12 may reach a quarter-million.
The tragedy spoke to students, as they read news reports in classes and watched the news.  And school groups sprung to action to help raise money to for Haitian relief.  Quickly, the efforts had raised $2,000, and they were just getting started.
At Greater Plains, the U.N. Ambassadors – each sixth grader learns about and represents a different country – headed up a school-wide fundraiser which launched just after the earthquake hit Haiti.
 “We decided we wanted to make a difference,” said Michael Kleszczsewski, one of social-studies teacher Maria McMullen’s students.
“We went around to the classrooms and told them about what happened in Haiti and left a jar in each room. At the end of the week we collect the change and count it,” said Sapphira Koerner.
The goal was $500, but first-week collections topped $1,000.
By Monday, Jan. 25, the tally was $1,876.77, so the kids raised their goal to $2,000.  The drive was due to end Friday, Jan. 29, and the money donated to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund.
“They know we are doing something special,” McMullen said. “My goal is to teach them that the single most important thing is to help someone in need.”
At Oneonta High, “En bissou pour Haiti” – or “ A kiss for Haiti” – was collecting $1 per Hershey Kiss, and a paper Hershey Kiss would go up on the wall outside the auditorium to mark the progress.
The other day, $200 had been raised toward a $650 goal, one dollar for every student, said French Club advisor Janis Labroo. The fundraiser will continue into February.
At Valleyview Elementary , the “Hearts for Haiti” had similarities to the OHS drive.  As money is donated, sixth-grade Safety Patrol members hang hearts on bulletin boards and in the library windows.
On their first day, Monday, Jan. 25 they had already raised $200, said Principal Walt Baskin.
Fliers were sent home with students announcing the fundraiser and on their first day, Monday, Jan. 25 they had already raised more than $200, said Principal Walt Baskin.
Donations are also accepted in the office throughout the day and the fundraiser will continue through the month of February, with the donations being given to the Salvation Army periodically as they are collected.
According to the Oneonta City School District website, students at Center Street School are also participating in the “Hearts for Haiti.”
Milford Central School’s annual Winterfest has been dedicated in part to Haiti relief efforts this year. The day long festival at the school features, a pancake breakfast, a chili cook off, rummage sale, entertainment, and badminton and volleyball tournament among other events. Part of their proceeds from the tournament entry fees will go to Haiti.
In addition to the Winterfest funds, the CIA/Interact student group which organizes the festival has organized a “Hats for Haiti” event.
Group advisor Jane O’Bryan explained how the fundraiser works, “Students and faculty are invited to wear a hat to school on Friday, Jan. 29, after making a one dollar donation to aid earthquake victims in Haiti.”
The funds raised from both Milford events will go to the American Red Cross.