Change for
charity adds up
at Aliamanu
Aliamanu Intermediate students
By Eloise Aguiar
surpass their fund-raising goal
with pennies and dimes
Star-BulletinA dime at a time. That's how the students at Aliamanu Intermediate School collected $1,055 in 15 days for the Star-Bulletin Good Neighbor Fund.
Sometimes the money came in a penny at a time, said eighth-grader Jade Webb, a student body representative.
The total amount collected surpassed the school's $1,000 goal and exceeded last year's contribution, also $1,000.
Making the fund-raiser into a contest seemed to make a difference, Webb said. Seven teams representing each homeroom class vied for ribbons. Adults were limited to a $2 contribution.
The seventh-grade class with the least number of students -- 17 -- won the second-place ribbon, collecting $179.35. An eighth-grade class took first place, bringing in $320.70.
"It was like a race against each other," Webb said. "It's just wonderful that we could produce this amount with only pennies and 10 cents. It was a real accomplishment."
For each dime collected, a team received a chain link made of colored paper. The links were strung together and hung in the cafeteria to visualize their effort. Together, the lei of colored chains circled the cafeteria four times.
The competition was fun, but students also realize their pennies will purchase clothing and food for people in the community, said Sarah Spearman, seventh-grade class president. "I see people at my school without money to buy good clothes, and I know there are people who need houses," Spearman said. "I try to help them out."
Irene Maguire, the students activities coordinator who organized the project, said the students are generous in other areas as well, and perform a community project every school quarter.
This year, they also collected more than 1,900 canned goods for a Salvation Army food drive this year.
"They know when you live in a community, you have a responsibility to take part in the community," said Maguire, who also teaches math.
Principal Pat Park said the students' generosity reflects what they learn at home.
"I think we underestimate our youth," Park said. "Given opportunities, they shine."
Dig deep to help our island's needy
AT this time of year, it is traditional to ask members of the community to look into their hearts and pocketbooks to help those who are leading lives of quiet desperation. The Star-Bulletin's Good Neighbor Fund offers a way to make a difference.
Monetary gifts may be sent to the Good Neighbor Fund, c/o Honolulu Star-Bulletin, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802, or dropped off at any of First Hawaiian Bank's 56 branches.
Clothing, household items and other gifts can be left at the Community Clearinghouse, 914 Kapalama Military Reservation.
You also may participate in the Adopt-A-Family program, in which businesses, employee groups, families, social clubs or individuals can pick a specific family to help.
For more information, call 847-1362.
