Painted pins let kids help in Haiti

Ohio Elementary School pupils are painting vibrantly colored craft projects and learning about Haiti as part of Houses for Haiti, a fundraiser for earthquake relief efforts.

"When I heard about this program, I thought, 'You know what? This is how my students can get involved,'" art teacher Michelle K. Davidson said, wearing one of the craft pins on her shirt. "Even though it's something small, it will make a difference on a big scale."

The children are painting pins shaped like houses and selling them for $5 each. Each pupil's parents will have the first opportunity to buy their child's creation. Any leftover pins will be available for other community members to buy.

The school has raised $450 so far, and it will give the money to Mark S. Purcell, owner of Purcell Construction Corp., Watertown. Mr. Purcell is buying tents and food and flying them to Haiti. Mrs. Davidson said she wanted the money to go to a local group involved in Haitian relief efforts.

She has been talking to her pupils about the earthquake in Haiti, and showing pictures of the aftermath, as they've been creating the pins in class. One of the most exciting things is that the children really understand what is going on and the need for a fundraiser like this, Mrs. Davidson said.

"They're excited to be helping out," Mrs. Davidson said. "I think they feel empowered, because they're giving by creating."

Fourth-grader Nolan R. Exford, 9, is continuing the fundraising effort beyond art class. He is collecting cans and bottles, which he will redeem for money and donate to relief efforts in Haiti. Nolan said he decided to raise money because most Haitian children probably don't have a home or a school like he does.

"When you help people and pick them up when they fall, it feels so good. It makes your heart feel bigger and bigger and you want to keep doing it," he said. "I feel really lucky because in Haiti and some other poor countries, kids don't even have a school because everything is gone."

Character education teacher Diane M. Recupero estimates the school will raise about $1,000 for Haitian earthquake relief.

Mrs. Recupero discusses all kinds of issues with children when she goes into different classrooms. Lately, they have been interested in talking about the earthquake in Haiti, she said.

"We want students to know that they don't need to be rich to do something," she said. "They can do something small and it can make a difference."