Students will be collecting monetary donations to the victims of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico through Oct. 27
Hurricanes Irma and Maria were devastating to Puerto Rico. While much of the U.S. territory is still living without electricity, food and water, and access to the island is limited, many citizens are in desperate need of help. Hurffville Elementary School’s first-grade class has chosen United For Puerto Rico as its relief effort through October to raise funds for the victims affected by these natural disasters.
According to first-grade teacher Staci McCauley, each year Hurffville students in grades first through fifth choose a charity or relief effort to assist each month through the Hurffville Heroes Community Service Projects. Many students, she said, were unaware Puerto Rico was a U.S. territory, and has been since 1898. McCauley and the Hurffville staff saw this as not only an opportunity to give to those in need, but to also teach the students that many of those affected are American citizens.
“As Hurffville Huskies, we pride ourselves on giving back and on having our students realize the importance they play in this world; it’s not just about themselves but about helping others,” McCauley said. “These projects give them a way of realizing they aren’t the only people in this world and they need to help others.”
United For Puerto Rico is an initiative established by First Lady of Puerto Rico Beatriz Rosselló. According to the website, www.unidosporpuertorico.com, the purpose is to “provide aid and support to those affected in Puerto Rico by the passage of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.” All proceeds are directly allocated to helping the victims in need.
“In my experience, children often want to help people in their community, want to make a positive difference in the world and they experience a sense of joy and positive self-image when they have an outlet where they can do so,” said Hurffville guidance counselor Larissa Fanning, founder of the Hurffville Heroes Community Service program.
Students will be collecting monetary donations through Oct. 27. Interested donors are asked to drop-off either checks, made out to Hurffville Elementary School, or cash to the school, located at 200 Hurffville Grenloch Road, Sewell. Donations can be brought to school with students as well.
“No donation is too small,” McCauley said. “We tell students they can bring in change lying around the house; we’ll take whatever they are willing and able to give.”
Fanning said the program is strictly voluntary, and the school encourages children to find small ways to show kindness that “don’t cost a penny.” For example, sharing a smile, holding the door, talking or sitting with someone who is all alone and picking up trash or litter throughout their neighborhood, park or school.
“It is my hope that Hurffville Elementary School will be a place not only of acquiring valuable knowledge, but also a place where children can experience kindness to one another and the value of reaching out to members of our community in meaningful ways,” Fanning said on the Hurffville Heroes webpage, found on www.wtps.org.
