East High students offer hope for Haiti

GREEN BAY - The need in Haiti continues to grow, and students at an area high school came together Friday to provide some relief.

Green Bay's East High is hoping to make change in Haiti, by collecting it.

The announcement came over the Public Address system at East High Friday.

“Students please donate generously as your teacher walks around with the collection envelope during Period 3. All money collected will be given to the Red Cross for Haiti relief,” boomed the voice.

Teachers started passing around an envelope for donations.

“Whether you have a quarter or you have more than a quarter whatever you want to give,” said one educator.

East High Students dug into their pockets to give to Haitian people in need.

”I think it will make a big difference, especially since everybody is giving money,” said East High freshman Lizzy Williams.

All that was asked of each student was 25 cents.

“I mean it's not that much. It's just a quarter, goes to a good cause, helps people who need a lot of help right now,” said East High Senior Dillon Cornette.

The idea to collect a mere quarter came from senior Jonathan Gor-Don who helped generate the school wide effort.

Gor-Don calls his concept: Just One.

“It's just the power of a quarter,” explained Gor-Don.

He showed what it means in a video students viewed earlier this week.

Gor-Don said the small amount raises the likelihood people will contribute.

“It adds up quickly, as long as you do your part, and spread the word, somebody else will do their part, it'll all work out,” said Gor-Don.

Gor-Don said if everybody at East High gave a quarter Friday--the school could raise $362.

Some gave a quarter, others gave more.

“I gave more than a quarter, I just figured I found a bunch of quarters laying around my room,” said Cornette.

“It's really been heartwarming to see that,” said East High teacher Nathalie Neree. Neree is a native of Haiti, with family in the country.

“I knew they would care because they know I have family down there, they know I'm Haitian, but just to see how much they care that was surprising,” Neree said.

The money from these envelopes will be added to several collection jars set up in the school since the quake struck.

“I think we have a whole lot more than we expected. We had a student walk up and put $35 in the jar, so I think we have a lot,” Neree said.

“It felt really good,” added Gor-Don. “Everybody came together today.”