Student Council members Torie O'Neil and Michaela Brady attend the Penny Wars station.

Dilapidation, destruction, and disarray encompass the lives of the Haitian people. Looking around what was once the city of Port-au-Prince, one would see piles and piles of debris and corpses. Even though the devastation that the earthquakes caused only hit Haiti, the sorrow and hopelessness reverberated all around the world. Hundreds of relief programs sprang up over night to lend help in the form of rescue teams, monetary donations, food, and clothing.  Even at Walpole High School, 1640 miles away, the community has come together to raise money for the Haitian people.

High school gym teacher Liane Jalette, with the help of the school administration and the student council, has organized a ‘Penny Wars’ fundraiser from January 26 to February 9. In this productive fundraiser, students and faculty members attempt to have the container with the least amount of money. During all four lunches there is a container for freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and faculty. The idea is to place any amount of money into the other containers. The result of this game is the raising of hundreds of dollars to be donated to the American Red Cross Association for the Haiti relief fund. In addition to the amount of money Walpole High raises, Jalette has agreed to meet with the Walpole Cooperative Bank to see if they will match the amount that we make. With the help of the bank, our community has the potential to really make a difference with helping Haiti. While only a few more days remain, the administration encourages students to continue sending in donations.

On a larger scale, many religious groups and relief organizations worked to aid the many victims all around Haiti. American leaders in particular encouraged its citizens to play small roles in donating to these programs. One of the largest organizations is the American Red Cross Association. This program has raised a tremendous amount of money towards Haiti. In addition to their regular efforts to collect donations, this association has utilized the modern-day technology of texting to further their labors. The idea behind texting donations is that one can text the word ‘Haiti’ to 90999 which is backed up by the United States Department. By doing this, $10 is added to your bill which goes directly to the American Red Cross Association for the Haiti relief funds. Through this tactic alone, the Red Cross has raised over $5,000,000. Combined with the hundreds of other programs, the world is slowly reviving the Haitian people.

Although the sight of destruction and despair pierces the eyes of many Americans, the moral obligation to assist the Haitian victims has compelled the American people. The grief and misery flowing from the Haiti earthquakes has pulled people together in joint efforts to help a common cause.