LAWRENCE — Denise Rosado had little money, but a big concern about the children in Haiti. She not only emptied her piggy bank of $1.75, but asked permission from her principal to collect quarters from classmates at South Lawrence East School to help the children in the country that was devastated by an earthquake.
The result: Students raised $500 during the week of Feb. 8 -12.
Twenty-eight staff members, administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, clerks, and food service workers helped match the students' donations.
"It was so unbelievably touching," said Principal Mary A. Toomey. "The girls couldn't have been more elated."
The $1,000 was used to purchase a ShelterBox. Each ShelterBox contains a 10-person tent, blankets, water purification and cooking equipment, basic tools, a stove and toys for children.
Toomey said South Lawrence East School sent a check to ShelterBox on Friday. The school will soon get a tracking number so students will know when the ShelterBox reaches its destination.
Toomey said out of the 500 students in the school, more than 40 percent have limited English skills and close to 90 percent are eligible for free or reduced school lunches.
"I know the economic hardship of our families, but they wanted to help," Toomey said.
Denise, along with friends Arlette Ortiz and Sammantha Cruz, came up with the idea to collect money soon after the Jan. 12 earthquake.
"I was pretty scared because I have family who live (in the Dominican Republic)," Arlette said. "I got a little teary eyed wondering how many people could die from it."
The girls, who are student ambassadors, sent Toomey a note asking what they could do.
"I thanked them for their concern and told them about local drives so the students and their families could help out," Toomey said.
Toomey said the girls did not take no for an answer and wrote her a second time saying, 'We need to do something for the children."
It was then that Denise, Sammantha and Arlette asked the principal for permission to collect spare change from fellow students.
"I know the economic hardship of families, but I saw their determination and gave them the OK,' Toomey said.
Students at South Lawrence East School brought bags full of quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies.
"There's a lesson in this for all of us," Toomey said. Even though they face difficulties themselves, they are emptying their piggy banks to help others."
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