BEAVER BANK: Students at Harold T. Barrett Junior High School are showing they have big hearts.
The Beaver Bank-based school held a fundraising project entitled Hearts for Haiti, which is a partnership with World Vision Canada. Their goal was to reach $1,000 and they did that and some.
By partnering with World Vision Canada, it allowed students, staff and those within the school’s community to respond to the tragic events that took place in early January. The money the students raised was being used towards emergency water and sanitation for a family; mobile medical clinics and emergency safe havens.
The total the students raised through the program was $1,117, but with the federal government contributing dollar-for-dollar, makes the final total $2,234.
Alana Hogg, guidance counsellor at the school, said a letter went home to parents and guardians of students at the school. Along with the letter, explaining what the goal the school had was, there was a heart. Those hearts would be bought back with a donation and then posted on the two walls near the library, in plain view of those walking into the school.
Among the leadership students to take charge of the project were Grade 7 students Allister Aalders, Logan Miller and Grade 8 students Samantha Hodder and Margaret Hughes.
It’s something the students take great pride in.
“After we heard about the earthquake, we held a leadership meeting and discussed how bad it was,” Aalders said. “We got hearts from World Vision and we decided we would do this fundraiser in the school.”
The project began Jan. 19, a week after the earthquake hit Haiti, killing more than 200,000 people to date.
Aalders felt he could do something to help people in that country.
“People were wrestling each other for food and water,” he added. “We decided we should help get them doctors, get them food and water.”
Miller said living in a country like Canada made him and fellow group members realize they have it good compared to countries like Haiti.
“We watched on the news and saw how poor they are and many of their family members are dying,” Miller said. “We just wanted to help those poor kids out.”
Hogg said she’s impressed with how enthusiastic the students were in taking on the initiative
“I’m also impressed with how generous the student population and their families have been,” Hogg said. “Students have written a message of hope in the hearts and we’ve had some classes write up notes about the tragedy. It’s wonderful to see the support.”
phealey@enfieldweeklypress.com