School children of the Lakes Region, encouraged by parents and educators, have responded to the tragedy of Katrina with both an outpouring of monetary donations and a desire to become personally involved in more tangible ways.
For Windham Middle School students Autumn Dyer, Natasha Scott and Amanda Morais that desire for personal involvement developed into holding a bake sale to raise money for the Red Cross.
Dyer’s father is a firefighter in South Portland. As she thought about his job and what so many of the fire/rescue personnel were doing to help out in Louisiana and Mississippi, she got the idea to have the food sale.
The girls hosted the sale on Labor Day at the Windham home of Louise Johnson, Autumn’s grandmother and Natasha’s aunt. They sold a variety of items including peanut butter fudge and brownies (their best sellers), chocolate chip cookies and other items such as hot dogs, lemonade and iced tea.
Their efforts raised over $115 for their school’s collection for the Red Cross.
Heartened by people’s giving – some donated without buying any food – the girls felt the day was a huge success.
“A lot of people really do care about it and are willing to donate money,” Morais said.
Pattle’s bracelets
Another fund-raising effort planned for the near future is inspired by the current craze for plastic bracelets of different colors, each representing a charitable cause.
South Windham resident Derek Pattle, 8, and his mother Teresa Pattle have gotten their neighborhood together to make beaded bracelets to sell outside Wal-Mart on Saturday, October 1.
“We had wanted to do something,” Teresa said. “He was into the rubber bracelets so we thought of this.”
With three sizes available, each elasticized bracelet is unique in color, pattern, or type of beads. Some even include letter beads that spell out U.S.A. or K.F.R., which stands for Kids for Relief.
Assisted by neighbors Graham Giroux, McKenzie Pepin, Anna Giroux and Emily Pattle, Derek and his mother plan to sell their creations for $2 each, three for $5, or 10 for $15 and donate the proceeds to the Red Cross. Their goal is to have 1,000 bracelets made in time for the sale.
“We have over 75 that we’ve made so far,” Derek said.
School efforts
Lakes Region area schools are all collecting money for those affected by the hurricane. Some have begun other projects, as well.
At Raymond Elementary School and Raymond’s Jordan Small Middle School, Principal Norma Richard reported that over $3,000 has already been raised and will be donated to Save the Children.
Raymond schools will also be involved with Operation Backpack, a project that will involve each class stuffing backpacks with supplies. These packs will then be sent to a school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Backpacks have become a popular way for students to become a part of the relief effort. At Windham Middle School, according to Linda Eastman, secretary to the principal, Mrs. Pellerin, an eighth grade math and science teacher, has also started a backpack project that will ultimately send filled backpacks to children in shelters.
In addition, the Windham Middle School Unity Team has collected several hundred dollars that will be sent to the Red Cross. The school also plans to hold a dance to raise additional money for the organization.
At Windham High School, Principal Deborah McAfee said their two-day coin drive raised $300. And a group of Windham High School musicians who won last year’s talent show wants to put on a show this year to raise money for hurricane victims.
Crooked River Elementary School in Casco has collected money to benefit both the Red Cross and the Animal Welfare League.
At Sebago Elementary School, Principal Andrea Lane said they are doing a penny war between classes and plan to hold additional school-wide fundraisers by the end of September.
And at Lake Region High School, Robert Lowell, principal, said students are collecting money for the Red Cross.
Bonny Eagle and the SAD 6 District, under the organization of social studies teacher Dawna Cyr, are encouraging donations in several ways.
Besides a money collection currently underway, with a goal of $5,000 to donate to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, Cyr plans to have students make up care packages in the spring to be given to students and teachers down south. She would like to see the district connect with a particular school. The district is also planning rummage sales, a golf tournament, and bottle drives to aid Katrina victims.
“I feel very strongly about having students get involved in fund-raisers for major causes,” Cyr said. “I believe if we can instill in them the sense of giving and civic duty, our world will be better.”
Derek Pattle, of Windham, and his mother organized a bracelet making operation for the neighborhood to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims. They will sell the bracelets at the Windham Wal-Mart on Saturday, October 1. From left: Graham Giroux, Derek Pattle, McKenzie Pepin, Anna Giroux and Emily Pattle. Send questions/comments to the editors.
