News

I.F. Cox rapidly raising funds for Haiti

By Wilbur McLean
22 Jan

I.F. Cox student Brooke Campbell knows why she gave a donation to the Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund.

“So they can have food,” the soft-spoken Kindergarten student says.

By “they” she is referring to the 10 million inhabitants of Haiti who were devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12. An estimated 200,000 people have died and many of the rest of the country’s residents are in need of basic medical supplies, food and water.

Campbell is aware of what happens during an earthquake – “It’s when the ground starts shaking” – and was happy to give the donation she received from her mother, “So the people don’t die from not eating”.

And the entire I.F. Cox school community holds similar sentiments.

What began as an idea by school custodian Ernie Reimer has evolved into a school-wide initiative to help the cause.

After some quick organization, the school decided within days of the earthquake to raise money to help the country in need. The campaign began on Monday, January 18.

The school’s initial goal was to raise $2,000 in two weeks. However, four days in the school was already nearing the $1,500 mark and that was even before a silent auction is to be completed on Friday, Jan. 29.

Donations to this point have been made by students, parents and staff.

“Everyone’s just kind of jumped on board,” said I.F. Cox Principal Melissa Gogolinski.

The silent auction includes a number of valuable items donated or procured by school staff. They include artwork, a gift certificate for a spa, silk scarves, golfing supplies and a bath basket among other items. The auction’s pièce de résistance may very well be a painting by Gogolinski herself, which is valued at $995.

“We really have a lot of great things up for auction,” said Gogolinski.

Bids can be made at the school up until Friday when the winners will be announced at a school assembly.

“We just want to see what we can do to help,” said Gogolinski.