‘One Town, One Goal’: Student Tsunami Relief

By Larissa Lytwyn

Just over two weeks since the 9.0-level tsunami devastated 11 countries in southern Asia and Africa, Newtown students have joined the thousands of volunteers worldwide seeking to provide relief to the area.

Reed Intermediate School’s Newtown Rotary-sponsored Interact Club, in conjunction with the school’s Student Council, recently launched their “One Town, One Goal” campaign for the Newtown Rotary Club Foundation’s Newtown Cares Tsunami Relief Fund.

Fifth grader Paolo Moscovici spurred the idea for the campaign after discussing the aftermath of the natural disaster with his friends.

“Everyone wanted to do something, but no one was sure exactly what to do!” he said.

He approached Interact Club advisors Tony Salvatore, Reed’s assistant principal, and Karen King, a sixth grade teacher, with the idea of launching a relief fund that could serve as an umbrella for the many charity efforts being organized around the area.

The funds collected through the Newtown Cares Tsunami Relief Fund will be sent directly to Rotary International’s New Delhi-based Indian chapter and immediately distributed to the people.

The money will help rebuild schools, homes, and other buildings destroyed by the marine quake as well as provide health and medical care to survivors.

“We want to make clear that the money people donate will directly benefit the stricken areas,” said Interact Club member Jacob Evantoff. “There is no one else benefiting but the survivors and their communities.”

In addition to rallying their peers, the fifth and sixth graders will be spending at least the next two months encouraging local families, businesses, and community leaders to contribute money to the fund.

Their goal is to reach $30,000.

In addition, Rotary International will match every dollar the students earn by the same amount, potentially doubling what is collected.

Collection boxes will be located in each of the district’s seven public schools, as well as the C.H. Booth Library and area banks and businesses, including Big Y.

The Reed students are already brimming with additional ideas to bring in money.

In addition to bake sales and raffles, Michaela Beaudry discussed the idea of having the Interact club host an art and craft fair.

“Everyone who wanted to could make jewelry or accessories,” she said. “It could be really fun and effective to do something like that!”

During a recent campaign briefing, Mr Salvatore invited World Health Foundation (WHF) president Harvey Sellner and Executive Director Mary K. “Kathy” Tauras to share their relief efforts with students.

WHF is in the process of underwriting 25 water purification systems, designed by sister company Water for Life, that would provide communities in need with eight million gallons of purified water.

“Each system is portable and small enough to provide enough water for a four-member family,” said Ms Tauras. “It’s a wonderful system.”

Paolo’s mother, Marina Moscovici, said she was excited about the idea of having the children’s effort get the word out about a coordinated effort in Newtown to provide tsunami relief.

“I feel grateful and appreciative that everyone has been so enthusiastic and so involved,” she said. “And we are just getting started!”

In addition to Reed’s efforts, Newtown Middle School’s Student Council and Interact chapter recently launched their Kids to Kids Medical Tsunami Relief campaign.

All of the supplies and funds they collect will benefit the American Red Cross’s Tsunami Relief Fund.

“We need things that are pretty basic, like cotton balls,” said Interact president Autumn Ingram.

Already, a number of items, including cotton swabs, latex gloves, and bandages, have been collected.

In addition, Student Council representative Michael Tuccio had the idea of sending custom-made T-shirts to children in the devastated region.

“The T-shirts could have symbols of hope on them, like happy faces,” he said.

Money will also be raised through bake sales, raffles, and other traditional fundraisers.

“This is just the beginning of what we are going to do!” declared seventh grader Daniel Cragin. “There are all kinds of possibilities.”

The students also discussed setting up a special relief fund to rebuild schools.

Recently, a school of 500 students tried to reopen.

Only one teacher and 14 students showed up.

“The need is not going away anytime soon,” said Michael. “And we’re going to really work to help, and get everyone else who can, to help, too!”

To donate to the Newtown Rotary Tsunami Relief Fund, make checks payable to Newtown Rotary, PO Box 263, Newtown CT 06470. For more information on Kids to Kids, contact Newtown Middle School 426-7638 or visit www.redcross.org.