Student fundraisers benefit Haiti, Second Harvest

Students at Lake Superior Elementary School are focused on the needs of others this holiday season.

“Our kids do many things well,” said Principal Mark Howard. “Our kids really accept other people and welcome other people and like to give, they really do.”

Holiday giving has become an annual event for students in Lindsay Braman’s class. For the past five years, her fifth graders have sold paper chains by the link to raise money for local programs like Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army.

“I feel like fifth graders are focused so much on themselves,” the teacher said. “It’s good for them to learn that there are other people, especially this time of year, who need help.”

This year, the students voted to raise money for victims of the Haiti earthquake.

“They need help,” said fifth grader Tianna Banks.

“They need a lot of help,” added her classmate, Katie Warren.

Fifteen children gave up their recess time for more than a week to sell and assemble the chains, which sold for a dime a link. They designed their own schedules, wrote a letter to send home to parents, made posters and sat at the sales booth.

“They all volunteered their time,” Braman said. “I’m real proud of them.”

The youth said the hardest part was assembling the chains and providing same-day delivery, especially with big orders of 50 or more.

“It was definitely a teamwork thing,” said Olivia Hunker.

If they could send a message with the money collected, students said, it would be to tell the people in Haiti that they care.

“We want to tell them we’ve been working really hard for them to earn money,” Katie said.

“We hope that they get better,” Tianna added.

The chain sales took place from Dec. 2-10. They raised $159.70. Now, they will decide whether to mail the money directly to an organization in Haiti or purchase items to send.

Third grade students are also in on the giving. They have been busy making ornaments to sell just before the school sing-a-long Thursday. Proceeds from that project are earmarked for Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank.

“I think it’s just teaching them to be thinking about the community and giving back,” said third grade teacher Michele Conlan, who collaborates with Nicole Domagala’s classroom on the fundraiser. Last year, the two classes raised more than $185 to provide food to those in need.

In addition to the fundraisers, the school’s Holiday Store is open to students this week. The annual store offers donated items for sale at 25 cents each. In previous years, tutors wrapped gifts at the store. This year, a dozen volunteers – many of them mentors – stepped in to help.

“The Holiday Store and the Chains for Haiti were really special this year,” Howard said.

Parents and community members are invited to share the holiday spirit Thursday during the Lake Superior Sing-a-Long. It begins at 2:30 p.m. After the sing-along, there will be hot cocoa and sleigh rides after school. Santa is also slated to appear to pick up non-perishable food donations for the local food shelf.

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