Blair Mill Elementary School Students Raise Money for Haiti

students prove that even children can make a change as they collectively raised $510 to benefit Haitian children. 

Students at the Hatboro school collected money as part of the "Change for Children" drive in February.

The fundraising idea came from the school student council after parents spoke to the group about the impact last year's earthquake had on Haiti. Gail Houseman suggested that students raise money for Haitian Roots, a nonprofit group that aids Haitian orphans.

Houseman learned about the organization after adopting her daughter Mia from Guatemala. The social worker who coordinated the adoption also works for Haitian Roots and told Houseman about the devastation the earthquake caused to the nonprofit's orphanage. She, in turn, shared that information with Blair Mill students.

First-grade teacher Sharon Curtis, who serves as student council co-advisor, along with guidance counselor Chrys Fedyna, said student council members were eager to help after learning about how poor Haiti is and how the earthquake has made things even more difficult for Haitian children.

"When Mrs. Houseman and fellow parent Beckie Vuk talked to the kids, they almost didn't know how to react," she said. "They saw kids who were just like them and didn't have anything."

Taking the lessons they had learned about leadership, community service and character to heart, student council members initiated the "Change for Children" drive. They created donation boxes and spoke to each classroom about the collection and how it would benefit children in Haiti.

Houseman, who thanked the students earlier this week for their efforts, said she was surprised by how much the children were able to raise.

" 'Wow, wow, wow!' was how I answered the e-mail that Mrs. Curtis sent to me about what you raised," said Houseman. "You guys were great."

The money will help the Haitian Roots organization continue rebuilding an orphanage destroyed by the earthquake and to continue with its plans to eventually build a school.