Haitian Relief and Hats

I work in an elementary school where the children have plastered posters all over the school's hallway walls describing a wonderful way to raise money for the Haitian relief effort. The idea doesn't require a lot of fund raising time and effort, gathers money quickly, is great fun for kids participating, and really helps them share their wealth and compassion with others.

Kids are told not to wear hats inside out of politeness from the time they are old enough to enter school. (I haven't figured this one out, personally, but it is ingrained in me just the same.) For a few weeks this year, the school that I work in has lifted this ban for those students who bring a dollar in to school. Students who bring in a dollar can wear their hat for the day, and teachers and staff can do nothing about it.

This has got to be a win-win situation. The kids feel they're getting away with something, the school is raising money quickly and easily for the Haiti relief effort, and the kids are also becoming aware of the wider world around them and their places in it.

I've seen lots of baseball caps around the school, and the boys especially seem to be loving the whole deal. I hope it catches on in the coming days, and a "crazy hat day," or something like it inspires teachers and more female students to take part. The fund raiser is supposed to last for a couple of more weeks.

For those of us that cannot fathom such a catastrophe such as that that has hit Haiti, we can only try to extend a helping hand in the best way we know how. We as a country are good at coordinating, pulling together resources, and getting creative to meet needs of others at home and abroad. We are good at getting the word out and praying for help, and then providing it.

I encourage you to suggest some sort of similar fund raising event in the schools in your city. Chat with the principal about the idea, or suggest it at the next PTA meeting. Send an e-mail to the PTA president, or to a teacher you know in the school who is good at getting things done. Head up the effort yourself. Make a difference, and let's get some more help sent to Haiti as soon as we can.