Elementary

Students realized that their fundraising project was successful when they knew the final amount. (Photo Provided)

Ambitious children aid tsunami victims

By Jill Lira

April 06, 2005

The year 2004 ended in a harsh way for the people of South Asia. Due to the tsunami that struck in late December, over 150,000 people have died, five million remain homeless, close to two million people need food, and tens of thousands are at risk of contracting malaria, typhoid and cholera.

Many foundations were organized to raise money for the victims, but for two Silver Lake Grade School students, it just wasn’t enough. Third-graders Ashley Womack and Chayse Saia started raising money so they could make a difference for people who have suffered.

Womack and Saia told Karen Larson, their third-grade teacher, that they felt they needed to help. Larson took action and got Ronda Dewey, SLGS principal, involved. All students from pre-school to sixth-grade were asked to donate.

Womack and Saia took the money collected from each classroom and placed it in one huge bin. The total amount collected was $1,370.04.

Dewey felt that is was important for the students to learn that they could make a difference.

“This was an important fundraiser for the kids because it taught them they can help people not only in our community but in other countries as well,” Dewey commented.

Proceeds from the junior-high dance that was held Feb. 25 were also allocated to the fund. The total amount donated was $170.

Saia was proud that he could make a difference somewhere else.

“I knew a lot of the kids had lost their parents, and I just wanted to help because they needed help,” Saia stated.