American Red Cross of Knox County, Ohio

Fredericktown Elementary School hosts Penny Parade to benefit Red Cross Haiti relief efforts

Fredericktown elementary students, K-5, and preschoolers held a "Penny Parade" on Jan 15 to help with the Red Cross Haitian earthquake relief efforts. The effort resulted in a friendly "competition" between "Girls" and "Boys" to see how many of the approximately 100-pound buckets of pennies each group could collect. The winning team would then get to head to the front of the line for lunch, recess, etc. Teachers also joined in the fun by bringing in at least 100 pennies in order to wear jeans to work.

"It gives our students a chance to feel like they are doing something to help," Funston explained adding how difficult it is for the young students to understand the tragedy and devastation they are seeing on television. One student brought in 30 pounds of pennies. "I wondered why all my change was missing this morning!" said one father.

"It is so heartwarming when young people take the initiative to help someone they don't even know," said Knox Red Cross director Kelly Brenneman. "What a wonderful thing to see in the midst of such tragedy and devastation. I am so proud of our community to not only help out our own and donate to help local victims of fire and disaster, but also to reach out to people around the world."

Donations collected will be sent by the chapter to the Red Cross International Disaster Response Fund for the Haitian relief effort.