Wiscasset Middle School eighth grader Nick Brackley surprised teachers, school staff and himself when he raised $1536.72 to support Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. Inspired to do more to help the thousands of people left homeless in a country ravaged by an earthquake last month, Wiscasset students have also started a shoe drive.
“We need to continue efforts like Nick’s,” said Connie Jones, Executive Director of the Mid-Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross, during a Middle School assembly in Wiscasset Tuesday morning. “It’s critical we get them the supplies they need. People are going to need help from all of us for many years to come.”
Jones said the Red Cross has raised over $200 million and has spent $60 million toward rescue efforts in Haiti.
Jones invited Brackley to an award ceremony, where he will receive recognition for his initiative, forward thinking and efforts in raising the funds. Brackley had intended to raise about $300 and was surprised by the generosity of his contributors.
“It’s a dream come true,” Brackley said, acknowledging both the amount of money he raised is relatively small in light of the tremendous need and yet will do a lot to help Red Cross efforts.
Presenting a large check cut-out to Jones and Mid Coast Chapter Board of Directors member Dee Miskill, Brackley said he and his fellow students and staff worked together to raise the funds. They had bake sales, they put an advertisement in a newspaper and joined in the spirit of supporting the cause.
“We all came together and helped,” Brackley said.
Students have also begun to collect shoes for the citizens of Haiti. Nurses at the middle, primary and high school are organizing a shoe drive to collect new and “gently used” shoes. From Feb. 8 – Feb. 26, students will collect the shoes at Wiscasset Middle School, Wiscasset Primary School and Wiscasset High School.
They will deliver the shoes to JL Coombs shoe store in Freeport, which has decided to bear the cost of shipping. According to information provided by school nurse Cary Huggins, JL Coombs will ship the shoes the store collects to Haiti aboard the 220 foot treasure hunting ship, the Sea Hunter.
For more information about the shoe drive, contact Cary Huggins, school nurse at Wiscasset Middle School and High Schools (882-7767) or Molly McMahon, school nurse at Wiscasset Primary School (882-7585).
To make a donation to the Mid Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross, their address is: 16 Community Way, Topsham, 04086. Donations can also be made by phone at: 729-6779.
