Story posted Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Schools, Families Open Pocketbooks To Help
Glenview residents and students opened their hearts and wallets after seeing the suffering and devastation caused by a massive earthquake earlier this month in the island nation of Haiti.
Thousands of dollars have been raised within the last few weeks by Glenview Elementary School Dist. 34 and Glenbrook South High School students and from individual adult donors. Some of those fundraising drives will continue through early February and more might be planned soon.
One group, Little By Little, based in Glenview out of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, was on the ground conducting a mission trip with medical professionals when the quake struck. The group immediately jumped into action on the day of the quake treating hundreds of quake victims.
Those volunteers are back home. The group is planning another medical mission trip for the end of next month.
Glenview resident Tony Chen raised $3,500 in one day through the social networking websites Facebook and Twitter.
Chen said for each person who became a friend or fan of World Vision, a Christian relief agency working in Haiti, on Facebook or Twitter, Chen would donate 25 cents.
An anonymous donor then said he would match each of Chen's donations with 75 cents for each fan of World Vision. The effort netted 3,500 fans, and $3,500 in one day.
Chen led a team of volunteers on a medical mission trip to Haiti in 2006 through his church at the time, Chinese Christian Fellowship Church in Wilmette.
GBS students raised $2,600 for the group Hope For Haiti on Friday, Jan. 15 through an afternoon bake sale and collections of spare change during the school day and at a basketball game that evening. Assistant Principal Jim Shellard will be working with GBS student government and other groups to organize other efforts.
Several Dist. 34 schools also held fundraising activities.
Springman Middle School students are selling "Relief Recover and Rebuild" bracelets and red necklaces with the Springman mascot on them for $2. On the first day of fundraising on Friday, Jan. 15, students raised $400.
Attea Middle School's student senate and school social workers are collecting personal hygiene items to be sent to Haiti.
Students at Hoffman elementary are participating in "Hoffman Helps Haiti." Students and families are collecting coins in each classroom that will be donated to the American Red Cross. English Language Learner students are leading the effort making daily announcements, posters and displays for a large collection push to take place from Monday, Jan. 25 through Friday, Feb. 5.
Henking elementary students are planning a fundraiser for Unicef for Haiti. Students would take on extra chores for donations at home. Those funds will then be donated to the effort. Lyon elementary students are conducting a similar program.
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