We’re continually amazed at the generosity of people in Southwest Missouri.
But when Triway School raised $1,900 in a week’s time to help earthquake victims in Haiti, we were really thrown for a loop.
Triway has just 458 students. Although we realize that teachers and administrators gave to the effort, if you do the math, it equals about $4.15 for every student.
It all started Jan. 18. Teachers encouraged their pupils to bring change to the school, with the winners of the competition — a class from the junior high and a class from the elementary sections of the school — to receive a pizza party.
The ball got rolling, slowly at first. Jackie Bunch, school secretary, initially thought she would be happy if the school hit $700, or even $500.
“By Thursday, it just exploded,” she said. “These kids were bringing in coffee cans and ice cream buckets full of money. The teachers even got involved.”
Bunch estimated about 75 to 80 percent of the funds raised came from the students, however. Taking the lowest percentage Bunch quoted, this means the kids collected at least $1,425.
The elementary kids were among the classes collecting the most. The first place winner, April Periman’s fourth grade class, brought in nearly $427 in change. Meanwhile, a second grade class brought in just over $301, while the first place winner at the junior high portion of the school, Marybeth Tanksley’s class, collected $110.26.
“I feel happy because we helped Haiti,” Caleb McDowell, a student in Tanksley’s class, told the Daily News.
We, too, are happy the students took part. Helping others is a great character asset. We can’t think of a better way to learn.
So, feel good, Triway students. Your generosity has helped people in need. We’re sure your parents, other family members and friends are proud of you.
We are.
DAILY NEWS
