By JOAN DOYLE Port Dover students have raised $5,000 to help the people of Haiti whose country was devastated by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake on January 12. As pictures of frightened Haitians and crumbled buildings began to roll across television screens, this town’s youngest minds began to think in humanitarian terms about how they could lend a hand to the Caribbean nation. Students at Doverwood Public School, through its Early Act Club, affiliated with Sunrise Rotary Club of Simcoe, held “Hats for Haiti” for several days whereby any student who made a monetary donation could wear a hat to class. Student Emily Shuttleworth, a co-president of the Early Act Club, asked people attending her birthday party to make a donation to the school’s Haitian relief program instead of giving her presents. As well, the Doverwood parents held a fundraising dance; and The Pizza Shed gave the school the money that had been collected in a jar at its business, said educational assistant Debbie Hoskins. Students at St. Cecilia’s School also participated in theme days to raise money for Haiti. “The generosity was phenomenal, commented Principal Alice Sroka. Some students gave up their allowances, others gave their birthday money, parents sent in donations and the school’s parent council also supported the cause, she said. The 105 students in grades 7 and 8 at Port Dover Composite School also raised money. Under the leadership of Intermediate Foods teacher Laurie Witzel, the students put the finishing touches on A Taste of the Tropics cookbook and hosted a Caribbean Island Cafe in late January where they served a full course dinner using recipes from the book. The proceeds from the meal, cooked and served by the students, was matched by the school’s secondary level student council. The money from the three schools was then pooled together, and last week it was formally presented to ShelterBox Canada. This area’s ShelterBox ambassador, Larry Kormos, who is also a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club, said, “Thank you so much to all the teachers, students and individuals who worked to make this amazing collective effort happen. This thoughtful collaboration in the spirit of selfless generosity is what we all strive for as Rotarians and members of the global family.” Port Dover’s joint donation of $5,000 is enough to pay for five ShelterBoxes. Each green-coloured box contains a 10-person tent that is especially designed to withstand extreme temperatures and UV exposures, high winds and heavy rainfall. Each has internal flaps to divide the space as needed. Each box contains either a wood burning or multi-fuel stove that can burn anything from diesel to old paint. There are also cooking pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water storage containers. In addition, there are blankets, ground sheets, and water purification items. There is also a basic tool kit of a hammer, axe, saw, shovel, pliers and wire cutters. And, the boxes contain a children’s pack of drawing books, crayons and pens. The five boxes will be marked with plaques identifying the Port Dover schools as the sponsors. Each will be given a unique number so donors have the opportunity to track their boxes to their final destination via the ShelterBox Canada website.- Wednesday, February 24, 2010 |
