By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Niles
American children are stepping up individually and through their local communities and schools to offer whatever help they can for the victims of the tsunami disaster. From the surprisingly big to the touchingly small donations, every bit counts.
Howard Elementary School's PTO came up with a great idea. Starting last Tuesday, each child could donate one dollar to the fund and on Friday the students could wear hats to school. This would excite any student since wearing hats to school is against the rules.
Carlee Daniels, a fifth grade student at Howard, had an idea of her own. She wanted to collect cans to raise money for the relief. Beth Altergott, a third grade teacher at Howard, thought it was a wonderful idea. She thought she would bring the two fundraising events together to try and raise even more money.
All together the school raised $626, $150 in cans alone, and donated all of the proceeds to the American Red Cross of Kalamazoo.
Terri Franklin, Marketing and Communications Director for the Red Cross of Kalamazoo, was at school Tuesday to collect the money from Daniels.
The Kalamazoo Red Cross serves the people of Allegan, Cass, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties. All of the money will go straight to the disaster relief, Franklin said.
So far the Kalamazoo Red Cross alone has raised around $211,000. Nationally, about $230 million has been raised so far.
The tsunami disaster has touched Carlee's life in a way. Though she doesn't know the victims, a friend of her father lost a cousin and has two loved ones still missing from the deadly tidal wave.
If you would like to make a donation for the victims or help out in anyway, please contact your local American Red Cross.