Two dimes and four pennies carefully wrapped in a plastic bag made up one of many donations to the Highland Park elementary fundraiser for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.
For the past five days the students have been raising money to donate to the Canadian Red Cross to help victims in the Philippines.
“There was a big storm. The biggest storm in the world,” explained Grade 1 student Kairo Heath, who raised money at his brother’s hockey game by asking all the parents in the stands to pitch in.
“Water washed down lots of houses,” chimed in Jamey-Lyn Tenhoeve, also in Grade 1.
Children have cracked open their piggy banks for the cause including Grade 1 student Colby Cutler who donated money from his Disneyland fund.
“It’s close to home for our school community,” said Grade 1-2 teacher Tammy Tomlinson saying a student had an aunt and cousin initially reported missing in the Philippines before being found safe.
Tomlinson’s class made posters and the intermediate and primary classes held a competition to see who could raise the most money.
But Tomlinson’s class, which is collecting the money for the school, aren’t concerned about who raises the most money, they are just excited to help.
“You can hear them coming back down the hall saying ‘Whoa, this weighs a ton! We’ve got tons of money!” said Tomlinson.
By Wednesday, the school raised $2,368.23.
The class has also learned where the Philippines are located on a globe and by sorting and counting the money they get a math lesson.
St. Patrick’s School in Maple Ridge had a “dress-down” day on Friday. Every student had to bring a donation for the privilege of being out of uniform.
The school raised $870 for victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.