Cedar Rapids schools reach out with fundraisers, projects to help Haiti

CEDAR RAPIDS - Kennedy High School moved up the timeline for its annual Kids Against Hunger/ONE campaign so its students and staff could respond to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti.

For the past two years the students and staff at Kennedy have raised $10,000 a year, packaged 40,000 meals annually and shipped those meals to Haiti. The work has been done with the Kids Against Hunger campaign.

Those meals now will be packaged March 19, earlier than in years past.

“The goal is to raise enough money to package at least 40,000 meals for the people of Haiti for the third consecutive year,” Principal Mary Wilcynski said. “Clearly the need now is even greater than in the past.”

Students in the world humanities classes coordinate the schoolwide project, beginning with the annual “penny war” that raises thousands of dollars. In addition, students are seeking donations from companies and individuals.

Other Haiti-related projects in the district include:

-Cleveland Elementary School is holding a coin drive.

-The Franklin Middle School Student Council will participate in a Kids Against Hunger packaging event and will sponsor events to benefit the American Red Cross.

-The Garfield Elementary School fifth-grade class is holding a coin drive for the American Red Cross.

-Madison Elementary School students and staff collected spare change, raising $300 for the American Red Cross, and wore red to show their support for Haiti.

-Gibson Elementary School's service learning club is sponsoring a “Hearts for Haiti” event in February to collect funds for UNICEF.

-The Metro High School IJAG group is planning a fundraiser to support the American Red Cross through homeroom competitions.

-Taylor Elementary students and staff are holding a “coins and cash” collection for the American Red Cross.

-The Taft Middle School student leadership group is selling T-shirts and donating profits to the Red Cross. The shirts, designed by the school principal and his daughter, share the message “To Haiti From Taft.”

-Wilson School is partnering with Asbury United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Committee on Relief to collect items for disaster health kits. The school also will collect donations and donate proceeds from the annual school talent show, vocal concert and Valentine's Day dance. Bake sales also are planned.