Sixth grade students in the Read 180 program at Sherwood Elementary raised $507 for the American Red Cross in their Helping Hands for Haiti service learning project.

     When the January earthquake in Haiti occurred, Mrs. Otto and Mrs. Schnabel’s students jumped into action with a service learning project to aid the victims. Students had already studied the effects of earthquakes in their lesson on Natural Disasters.  After watching videos displaying the devastation in Haiti, students decided to organize a pretzel sale for their school.  “It was a wonderful teaching opportunity. We were able to offer help to the victims in Haiti, while covering skills in computer technology, advertising, business, and math,” said Mrs. Schnabel. 

     Ryan Day, a representative of the American Red Cross visited students on February 2nd to receive their donation.  “Your $500 is enough to purchase a tent for 7 people to reside,” said Mr. Day.  He told students that the American Red Cross projects it will need 63-65 million dollars in donations for the Haiti relief fund. He explained that a cash donation like theirs was the best gift they could offer the people of Haiti. “When you send the money to their county, you are helping rebuild their economy by allowing them to purchase the goods needed from local merchants. If we were to send the goods to them, we risk destroying their economy,” Day said.