Riverstone Montessori Students Help Raise Over $5,500 for Earthquake Relief

 

 

Hard work and creativity turn into a heartfelt donation for Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti and Chile. 

Students at Riverstone Montessori Academy in Marietta, GA were deeply moved by the images of suffering in the wake of the Haitian Earthquake, so they decided to do something about it. 

In a creative brainstorming session, elementary and middle school students came up with the idea and the design.   Maurice Alonso and Spencer McClure were the winning t-shirt designers.  The youngsters not only sold t-shirts but had lemonade and hot chocolate as well to raise the funds to produce the shirts and provide a much needed dontation to the Red Cross.

When Chile was also affected by a devastating earthquake, Riverstone students again rose to the challenge and designed another t-shirt, encompassing both disasters. 

On Saturday, May 1, the students and school administrators presented Red Cross volunteer, Lisa Matheson, with a check for $5,314.06. A school spirit night yielded another donation from a local business, which brings the total raised by Riverstone pupils to $5,551.81.  T-shirt sales continue through students and the school’s website:  http://www.riverstonemontessori.com/Riverstone_Montessori_Academy/Help_for_Haiti.html.

A Voice of Hope from Haiti-Report #1 Brigitte Gaillis

Based in the airport in Port-au-Prince, Gaillis is doing outreach to survivors.  Over a 1,000 families have benefitted from relief efforts such as mobile kitchens and hygiene products.   Residents are given tickets so they can be called by number to receive aid.  Progress is slow, given the numerous logistical challenges.  Thousands of families are living in makeshift housing in hot, muggy conditions.  Gaillis indicated that this has been the hardest assignment she’s had.  The scope of loss and devastation is unfathomable.  It’s a very emotional experience.

Gaillis was deployed on January 13 and will continue to serve Haiti in its time of need.  We will check in with her periodically to better understand how Red Cross is fulfilling its humanitarian mission.

Red Cross Shares Its Message With the Atlanta Girls’ School

Natalie Johnston-Russell Speaks About Disaster Preparedness

The Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Red Cross was invited to participate in the Atlanta Girls’ School Winterim, an opportunity for students to explore exciting topics not traditionally found in a school curriculum.

Red Cross representatives taught small groups of middle school girls in 90-minute blocks over several days.  Topics included the Red Cross mission and history, disaster preparedness, first aid/CPR and babysitting.

“It was a wonderful experience,” says Natalie Johnston-Russell, Development Officer.  “The girls quickly applied the information we shared with them.  They now know what it means to have a plan, make a kit and be informed; and, hopefully, they brought that message home as new ‘Masters of Disaster’.”

The Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter offers educational programs to any organization throughout the year.  To learn more about how you can have a Red Cross presenter speak at your place of work, play or worship, please contact the main office at 404-876-3302 or visit our website at www.atlantaredcross.org.