Several local schools are pitching in to provide help for the victims of the devastating, Dec. 26 tsunami in Southeast Asia. Some are donating money and others are collecting supplies. Below is a sampling of just some of the efforts being made by schools in this area:
* CENTREVILLE HIGH'S SGA board last week collected change in the classrooms and, as a result, was able to contribute $2,000 to the American Red Cross. According to Melissa Knapp, youth services coordinator for the Fairfax County chapter of the American Red Cross, Centreville High was the first school in the county to donate to the Red Cross for this disaster.
"I'm very proud of this group," said Centreville Principal Peter Noonan. "It speaks to their quality of leadership." The money given to the Red Cross will go directly to that organization's International Relief Fund to help the tsunami victims.
* London Towne Elementary's SCA is leading a change drive, Jan. 24-28, to collect funds for the Save the Children foundation working in Southeast Asia. Said Principal Andy Camarda: "If each child brings in some change or a dollar bill, the collection will grow so that we can make a nice donation on behalf of our school." Larger donations by checks will also be accepted.
Save the Children was chosen as the recipient because its overall mission is to aid and protect children in need and crisis worldwide. It's currently working to get food, clothing and materials to the children affected by the tsunami, as well as initiating activities addressing their protection and their longer-term, physical and emotional well-being.
* Brookfield Elementary students are sponsoring a school-supply drive. From Jan. 18 through Feb. 4, they're bringing in new items by grade level. Kindergartners are donating crayons; first grade, construction and drawing paper; second grade, glue sticks; third grade, pencils and pencil sharpeners; fourth grade, pens and ruled paper; fifth grade, scissors; and sixth grade, metric rulers.
"Everything has been wiped out, so they really need these things," said Brookfield administrative assistant Judy Barron. "Brookfield staff and any adults wishing to participate are contributing backpacks."
* DEER PARK Elementary is collecting checks and money in a little red schoolhouse set up in the school lobby.
* Poplar Tree Elementary sold baked goods. Four fifth-graders, Madison Caird, Ashlee Williams, Kara Tribbie and Ashley Beauchamp, recently held a bake sale in front of the Giant Foods store in the Greenbriar Town Center and raised more than $300.
* Virginia Run Elementary's effort is called Just a Dollar. "It's based on the lesson in the folk tale, 'Stone Soup,'" explained Principal Terry Hicks. "The premise is that, if everyone contributes just a little something, the community together can make a difference."
So from Jan. 24-28, the school is asking any child who can to bring in a dollar. Virginia Run's proceeds will be given to UNICEF because of its focus on children and its high rate of transferring funds to children in need. Dollars will be collected in homerooms, and sixth-graders and SCA members will count and graph the contributions and display the results in the school lobby.
Families who wish to contribute more are encouraged to do so as a family. Reputable organizations are listed www.usaid.gov/locations/asia_near_east/tsunami/.
* Cub Run Elementary is urging parents to contribute as families through that same Web site, which was set up by President Bush.
* Bull Run Elementary's PTA is collecting donations for the American Red Cross.
* Stone Middle School is encouraging families to send their donations to Habitat for Humanity International.
* Westfield High students are collecting contributions through their school's Asian-American Culture Club and sending them to Direct Relief International.