by Tara de Ryk
Jan. 25, 2010

CRAIK-Kids at Craik School last Tuesday had their hats on for Haiti.

The school took a break from its no-hat policy in an effort to raise money and awareness to help victims of the Haitian earthquake.

On Jan. 12 an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude devastated the small Caribbean country. Since then, as people have become aware of the absolute magnitude of destruction, individuals and groups have answered the call for financial aid.

At least 2 million people are homeless in Haiti. The death toll is estimated at 200,000 people, but the exact number of dead may never be known as many are buried beneath rubble.

Kids in Craik are doing their part.

Teacher Debbie Wildfong said on Friday, Jan. 15, the school sent a note home informing parents that for a small donation, students would be allowed to wear a hat to school on Tuesday.

"We wanted to do something to make students aware of something that was happening outside our little community," Wildfong said.
Response was very good with students and staff raising $400.

The school will send the money raised onto a registered charity.

Hats on for Haiti is the most recent in a series of initiatives to help people in need undertaken by Craik School.

Leading up to Christmas, students raised money for Souls Harbour Rescue Mission in Regina to buy 144 meals to feed the homeless and hungry over the Christmas season.

Earlier in the school year the school collected small art supplies for the small Caribbean island of Dominica. Wildfong said she was there in the summer conducting a workshop for teachers in Dominica and was struck by how little the schools had in the way of supplies.

Once again, the school community responded and donated what was needed.

Craik's isn't the only school raising money for Haitian earthquake victims

Friday, students at Hanley Composite School put their hats on for Haiti. Students paid a Loonie so they could wear a hat all day. This followed Tuesday's PJ Day fund-raiser.

Imperial Central School is planning a bake sale this Thursday and Friday to raise money for earthquake relief.

Affinity Credit Union is helping people who want to give money by accepting donations to the Red Cross. People may drop off cash or money orders at their local Affinity Branch. Members may make cheques out to the Red Cross and write Haiti earthquake in the memo section of the. Donations are being accepted at Affinity Credit Union branches until Feb. 12.

The leaderonline is a division of The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan, Canada.