FARMINGTON — Many groups are raising funds to help Haitian earthquake victims but for some eighth-grade students at Mt. Blue Middle School, it’s an extension of their philanthropy efforts, thinking more about others.

A Help Haiti group will hold a pledge drive Friday, Feb. 5, from 2:30 to 6 p.m. All money collected will be given to the Red Cross to go to Haiti, as advertised in bright red and blue signs created by eighth-grade student Hanna Deon.

Working with local radio station WKTJ, updates of donations given by individuals and businesses will be announced during those hours. Students will answer the school phone lines to receive pledges, which can then either be brought to the school during the pledge drive or mailed to the school, said teacher advisers Jayne Flagg and Maureen Oswald.

While some students work the phones, others will be at the radio station to make announcements and some will be posted around town to remind people of the telephone pledge event. Anyone who would like to make a donation may call 778-3511 on Friday afternoon.

Students are making public announcements to be aired over the radio station this week and a video presentation about Helping Haiti to show to other classes.

This is their largest event held so far to raise funds. A “hat day” was held last Friday at the school, giving students a chance to wear their hats during the day for a small charge, Courtney Austin said. They raised $170.

Collections of funds through a “moose” in their French class and a collection of returnable bottles has risen that amount to about $240 as noted on a hall fund-thermometer poster.

Their original goal was $500 but they’re half way there after only two events leading them to believe they can reach above and beyond their goal.

“You know you are going to help someone so it’s fun doing it. It’s not a chore. We want to help,” said Danika Morin of their efforts, giving up recess for meetings and spending extra time on top of their philanthropy projects to raise Haiti funds. Some students quickly responded to the idea of helping Haiti, brainstorming fundraising ideas especially those that can be done at school yet are easy and fun.

Last year, while in seventh grade, these students participated in solitary or paired philanthropy projects. This year, the Katahdin community at the school, a group of students, has separated into five groups to continue their philanthropic work. Each group has focused on one area based on either helping the environment, animals, the elderly, soldiers or the less fortunate.

Nursing home residents, who are able, will be invited to the school for a dance with music from their days, Austin said. The students plan another activity at the nursing home for those who can’t travel to the school.

The “less fortunate group” plans to purchase animals through the Heifer Project and school supplies for students in other countries.

“A cow or chickens will feed a family for a long time,” said Astra Pierson of plans to help foreign families.

The soldier group is writing letters and sending care packages to soldiers, while the environmental group plans to develop a presentation on conservation efforts. The animal group is still working on their plans.

Instead of thinking of only their classes, friends and having fun, these young students were enthusiastic about sharing their plans, ones devoted to helping someone else.

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The Help Haiti group shared plans Friday to assist earthquake victims. Seated, left to right, are Lucy Celon, Victoria Cushing, Alyssa White, Amanda Moody, Sarah Wade; standing, Leigha Boyd, Danika Morin, Courtney Austin, Mikayla Oswald, Heather Wheeler, Hanna Deon, Emily Knowles, Macee Qi, Astra Pierson, Sadie Maye Drake, Casey Rogers and Courtney Melville.

The Help Haiti group shared plans Friday to help earthquake victims.
Seated, left to right, are Lucy Celon, Victoria Cushing, Alyssa White,
Amanda Moody, Sarah Wade; standing, Leigha Boyd, Danika Morin, Courtney
Austin, Mikayla Oswald, Heather Wheeler, Hanna Deon, Emily Knowles,
Macee Qi, Astra Pierson, Sadie Maye Drake, Casey Rogers and Courtney
Melville.