Lacey Schools Collect for Japan Relief

Almost immediately after the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11 teachers and students in Lacey Township went to work looking for ways to help.

The four elementary schools began fundraising campaigns to raise money for relief through various organizations.

Teacher Brenda Camaligan took charge at , starting a hearts for Japan campaign that netted $546, which was given to UNICEF.

"We wanted it to be children helping children, that's why we chose UNICEF," Camaligan said.

Red hearts were mailed home with each student and for a $1 donation they could decorate it and write their name or their family's name before bringing it back to school where it was placed in a big heart around a mural of Japan that was created by students.

The mural and the hearts were posted in the school's multi-purpose room.

The color theme for the mural and hearts was red, white and blue as a way of uniting both countries through their flags with Japan's flag being red and white.

"It was a great response," Camaligan said. "Unfortunately, they saw the complete devastation — they give to our community, that's part of what our school does, but it was important to help the children of the world. The outpouring of love to the Japanese....the hearts kept coming in."

At , Supervisor Joanie Donahue said students held a coin drive by simply putting a jar in every classroom.

"For spare change," Donahue said.

Teachers sat down, she said, and discussed the devastation in Japan and asked children how they would feel if they had no school supplies.

"Teachers discussed what that would mean for this school if they lost all their books and pencils...and the emotions of what that means," she said.

"Some students asked to put their snack money in the jar, instead of getting a snack, that day," Donahue said.

Students were asked by their teachers to ask their moms and dads if they could go into their piggy banks for some spare change.           

"And moms cleaned out the bottoms of their purse," Donahue said.

After two and half weeks, the school collected $418, which was donated to the Red Cross.

Students at also raised money for the Red Cross through two efforts run by the fourth-grade Geography Club.

Adviser and third-grade teacher Karen Martenak said fourth-grade students were studying Japan when the earthquake and tsunami hit.

"I told the class to think how we can help them. They wanted to write letters, but I said there are no schools to send them to," Martenak said.

They decided to hold a snack and bake sale, raising $400 in one day.

The group also held a coin drive, placing containers decorated with the Japanese flag in the offices of the high school and middle school. The containers were placed in the main offices so parents visiting the school or staff members could toss in their spare change.

Fourth-grader Max Dalton came up with a slogan for the coin drive "Lend a hand, help Japan" which was put on the containers, as well.

The coin drive raised $175.

"We talked to them about being compassionate and helping those who have far less than we have," Martenak said.

Principal Susan Gallagher said sixth grade teacher Susan Balcerski's class, organized a drive for Japan by decorating jars, placing them in the cafeteria and collecting change from the students.

"It was totally generated by the children, and with administration permission, they collected $261.67 for the American Red Cross, Japan Relief.

During Wednesday morning's announcements, the students reported the contributions and thanked the entire student body and staff, Gallagher said.