Pittsburgh CAPA to Hold “Harmony for Haiti” Event March 9th – At Pittsburgh Public Schools the idea of community service has gone global. In light of the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, District students and staff have realized that they can make a difference not only in their own communities but in the lives of the disaster victims in Haiti. To date, staff and students from no less than thirty-six District schools have planned and participated in fundraising activities to benefit Haiti relief. The message to students was that if everyone works together and gives a little, it will turn into a lot. And it has turned into a lot. Staff and students have raised approximately $13, 317 in cash plus thousands of hygiene products have been donated to organizations such as the Brother’s Brother Foundation and the Red Cross. But this isn’t the end of it. Over the next couple of weeks fundraising efforts will continue for many District schools.
One fundraising event will be held on March 9, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12. The event, called “Harmony for Haiti”, will offer a unified artistic expression of support for the millions suffering in Haiti and will feature visual arts sales, vocal and instrumental performances and bake sales.
Over the past month and a half many schools participated in “Dress Down” days when staff and students could opt to dress down for a donation of $1. Other schools had penny drives or sold paper hearts for $1 that were then displayed throughout the school. Many schools partnered with local community organizations in their efforts and most activities were tied into on-going community service projects at the schools.
In addition to fundraisers in the classrooms, a few schools held special benefit events. On the evening of February 26, at Pittsburgh Fulton PreK-5 students and staff hosted an event called “Le Carnival d’Haiti a Fulton: Hommage Bien Meriter aux Bienfaiteurs” (The Haitian Carnival at Fulton: A Tribute for All). The school, which houses a French International Studies program, collected hygiene articles to benefit Haiti relief. The evening included Haitian music and food, a parade and a tribute by the students to the special guests of the night which included a representative from Governor Ed Rendell’s office and a number of doctors and volunteers who had been involved in the care of the Haitian children who were brought to Pittsburgh.
In addition to events organized by the schools, there was also a special District-wide fundraising event for Haiti. The idea was proposed by a District family and February 19, 2010 was designated “Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Hearts for Haiti Day.” On this day students and staff who chose to participate were asked to voluntarily donate $1.
