Wenonah Elementary Lends Helping Hand in Haiti

Students and staff at Wenonah Elementary School in Lake Grove have initiated "Helping Hands for Haiti," a fundraiser to benefit the American Red Cross and their relief efforts in Haiti. 

Students can donate loose change into their classroom collection, which is later funneled into a large container in the school's main lobby, according to a release from the Sachem Central School District. This process demonstrates how students can make a bigger difference by working together. Each donation is accompanied by a traced cut-out of a student's hand featuring their name and personal design.

"We believe our Wenonah community can make a small difference in the face of the enormous challenge ahead for the people of Haiti," Principal Christine DiPaola said. "By working together, we hope the kindness and justice that starts at home will literally spread across the world."

This project is in coordination with Wenonah's "Kindness & Justice Challenge," taking place from January 19 through January 29. The two-week challenge honors the values of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as reinforces the ideals of the district's Character Education program.

Update: When the final count was conducted on Friday, January 29, it was revealed that Wenonah students raised an impressive $2,118.37 through the "Helping Hands for Haiti" fundraiser. According to Principal Christine DiPaola, "Our students literally emptied their piggy banks, donated their allowances and asked their parents if they could do chores for money to contribute." She added that one sister and brother actually asked their parents if they could brown-bag their own lunch and contribute their hot lunch money for the cause. Congratulations to the students and staff of Wenonah Elementary School
and their commitment to this great cause.