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Students trying to give
back to community
Some want to help those
deployed in Iraq, as part
of Make a Difference Week
Keolu Elementary School students are collecting paperbacks, Handi-Wipes, lip balm and other items for the local military soldiers deployed to Iraq.
They got the idea when teachers' husbands were sent to Iraq, said Tamar Bee, a Keolu counselor.
Mililani Uka Elementary School students are writing letters and cards for the soldiers, as is Mililani High. The parents of 30 to 40 students at Mililani Uka have been deployed, counselor Scott Miyagi said.
The students at those and 33 other schools are giving back to the community this week as part of Make a Difference Week.
This is first year the Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service is organizing Make a Difference Week, Executive Director Isaac Watson said.
The commission, which falls under the University of Hawaii, is focusing on education. Watson said the commission sent letters earlier to all public and private schools, asking for their participation.
Mililani High, as well as Keolu and Mililani Uka elementary schools, is collecting local snacks and other items for deployed Hawaii soldiers.
Meanwhile, several other schools have signed up to help the Board of Water Supply promote conservation and prevent pollution during the Kuleana Water Warrior Challenge at the Kuleana Eco-Fair at Manoa Valley District Park on Saturday.
Noelani Elementary in Manoa chose the challenge because "it was our own valley, and we hoped that we could win a prize for the most participants and donate it to a community organization (devoted to) caring for the environment," Principal Fred Yoshinaga said.
Erin Shremser, a team teacher at Kapolei Middle School, said her sixth- through eighth-graders are studying fitness and decided to help the Susan B. Komen Foundation pack pamphlets for its breast cancer awareness run this Sunday. Because they were too young to take part in the run, they wear pedometers to measure how many miles a day they walk, and try to improve their distance each week.
Jaclyn Lee, a counselor at Kaimuki Middle, said the school is collecting used clothing in good condition for students at Kalihi Elementary, "where they would really appreciate them." A faculty member at Kaimuki found out through a friend at Kalihi that the children needed appropriate school clothes, Lee said.
At Mid-Pacific Institute the Interact Club is organizing games and activities to promote a class competition to collect the most money to help fight polio. The Student Government Association is also holding a baked-goods auction, haunted house and costume contest to raise funds for the Aloha United Way.
