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Students of the Robert Treat Academy in Newark broke open their piggy banks earlier this month to raise $5,248.79 for Haitian earthquake victims.
The North and Central campuses of the charter school held a "Penny Wars" competition from Feb. 1 through 8 where students divided into teams to raise the most money. Pennies counted as "positive" points while dimes, nickels and quarters thrown into the opposing teams' buckets were deducted from the opposing team's total.
"The kids saw the impact of a handful of change that normally wouldn't go anywhere," she said. "It was just like a fever in this building."
TD Bank on Franklin Avenue cooperated with the school to help faculty transport the coins and put it through change machines. Kelley-Kemple said it took nearly an hour each day to bring the money in, and checks were made out to the American Red Cross. The school brought in $1,000 worth of coins every two days.
"It was so easy to implement this fundraiser; the hardest part was carrying the money in and out of the building," she said.
Kelley-Kemple said the results of the fundraiser went far beyond her expectations as she only anticipated raising $200 or $300.
"We were all blown away by the amount of money and the overwhelming support," she said.
The massive earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12 killed as many as 250,000 people and reduced much of its capital, Port Au Prince, to rubble. With rainy season approaching, many Haitians remain without adequate shelter.
Kindergarten teacher Yanelle Gonzalez said prior to the fundraiser, she showed her students pictures of the rubble in Haiti and explained the effects of the earthquake.
"We have kids coming in saying that they looked under the cushions, they were looking in between the cushions in the car, and the couches," Gonzalez said. "Then we did have a couple students who brought in all of their change, emptying out their piggy banks. It was a really sweet thing."
Gonzalez said kindergarten student Rosemary Lopez brought in $75 in change and the mother of kindergartener Madison Serrano collected money at work and from family members.
"It was great to give them that opportunity where they felt that they did something to help others," Gonzalez said.
Robert Treat Academy Board Secretary Lucy Bernardo said one kindergartener at the Central campus was so inspired he called his extended family members and was able to collect $75.
"We never imagined that pennies would amount to so much," Bernardo said. "It was wonderful, and the enthusiasm that they embraced, it was so nice to see."
Robert Treat Principal Michael Pallante said the idea for the fundraiser came from members of the student council.
"This was a project that was truly driven by the students with the full support of our staff," Pallante said. "It's wonderful that the older students are setting an example for the younger children at the school."
Kelley-Kemple said faculty members also participate in community service by wearing pink on Friday in October for Breast Cancer awareness month and red in February for Heart Disease awareness.
"We want the children to see we are interested in the greater community, we also do community service," she said.
Robert Treat Academy students are required to complete 50 hours of community service in order to graduate and each grade level takes part in varying acts of philanthropy. The community service requirement has been part of the curriculum at the Blue Ribbon school since it was started in 1997 by North Ward Center founder Stephen N. Adubato.
"The students really showed concern for the people of Haiti through this fundraiser," Adubato said. "It's an important part of their education to be knowledgeable about what is happening in the world and it's equally important that they do whatever they can to help."
Adrianne Davis, the vice president of the Robert Treat Academy board of trustees, said she is proud of the students for raising so much money for charity.
"Instilling a sense of charity and responsibility at an early age will result in compassionate adults," Davis said. "It's part of the character we seek to encourage in our students."
