District 148 schools collect help for Haiti

From left, Washington Junior High School National Junior Honor Society
Sponsor Michelle Nelson, an NJHS officer and prospective NJHS
candidate make ribbons during a fundraiser to help survivors
of the January earthquake in Haiti.

This NJHS officer proudly displays one of the checks that will be sent to
the Amercian Red Cross to provide aid to Haiti.

*Park Elementary School students help pack boxes of donations for the
Helping Haiti Stand project.

*Park Elementary School parents, above and below, help pack up boxes containing blankets,
canned goods, clothing, shoes, bottled water, toothpaste, and more.

*The "Taking a Park School Stand by Giving Haiti a Helping Hand" drive was a huge success.

Dolton West Elementary District 148 schools are doing their part to help survivors of the January earthquake in Haiti.

Washington Junior High School’s National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) raised a total of $923.85 during blue jean days on January 22nd and 29th. Participating students, and staff each donated $1 or more and were asked to wear red, yellow, or blue shirts, symbolizing the colors in the Haitian flag.

An NJHS officer, prospective candidates, student helpers, and NJHS Sponsor Michelle Nelson also worked together to make red, yellow and blue ribbon pins for supporters to wear. The funds collected are being donated to the American Red Cross to help the people of Haiti.

Roosevelt Elementary School students and staff also raised more than $530 to provide help for Haiti during a January 22nd blue jean day at the Dolton school. Students who wanted to wear blue jeans, rather than school uniforms that day, were asked to contribute at least $1 each toward the fundraiser. Parents also brought in additional monetary donations.

Roosevelt Secretary Kim Wilson said she is touched by “the outpouring of support” from the school community. “It was wonderful for the school to come together like this,” she said.

Fellow Secretary Kim Johnson came up with the fund-raising idea after watching news reports of the devastation in Haiti and hearing what others are doing to help.

“I thought it would be a good idea to have children helping other children,” Johnson said.

Park Elementary School also lent "a helping hand" to Haiti during a recent donation drive.

Items collected included blankets, canned goods, clothing, toothpaste, bottled water, and more. The items have gone out to Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti and the Joseph Assignment at New Faith Church. The Park School Parent Council extends its heartfelt appreciation to all those who participated in the cause.

Meanwhile, Roosevelt Junior High School’s Black History Club is asking students to bring in items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, toiletries, razors, and personal care items. The contributions will be given to the Chicago Christian Industrial League for distribution to Haitian evacuees coming to Chicago, said Roosevelt Junior High Black History Club sponsor Malaika Berry.

The classroom with the most donated items will be rewarded with a free period at the end of one school day, tentatively set for February 26th.

“I believe children need to get involved in community service projects and realize we’re connected to people across the world, not just in our neighborhood, and to help others whose needs are greater,” Berry said.

In addition, during the school’s Black History program on February 22nd parents will be asked to donate at least $1 each toward the cause. Funds collected will be sent to the American Red Cross or another charitable organization to provide aid to earthquake survivors.

*Photos courtesy of Park School Principal Dr. Dell McFarlane.