James Monroe Elementary School
When the earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, the James Monroe Elementary School (in Norfolk, VA) students wanted to raise funds for Haiti relief. They asked their parents for assistance and a few even emptied their piggy banks to help the people of Haiti. A bulletin board posted hearts, and hands. Visitors put their name on a heart or hand for a donation. Everyone in the school was encouraged to make donations. The PTA also got involved in raising the funds.
When it came to deciding where the money should go, the students decided to follow the example of the mentors that visit them from Eastern Virginia Medical School. The mentors are led by Erika Chambliss, a student at EVMS. In March, the EVMS students donated money they had raised to Maison Fortune Orphanage in Hinche, Haiti. The James Monroe students wanted to be like their mentors and do the same. It shows the powerful influence and impact that our actions have on the impressionable young people in our lives. The James Monroe students raised $500 for their counterparts at the Hinche orphanage. It is a lot of money but it is particularly impressive for such a young group of children.
James Monroe Elementary School is located at 520 W. 29th street in Norfolk , Virginia. They can be located on the web at: http://ww2.nps.k12.va.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=29