Students take pride in hurricane charity

It was a proud day for the students of Harbour View Elementary

School.

After raising almost $13,000 in donations for Hurricane Katrina

relief, the students presented a check to an American Red Cross

representative. A crowd of more than a thousand students, teachers

and parents gathered on the school’s outdoor basketball court to

participate in a “Proud To Be an American” assembly.

“This is a community that helps people,” said Principal Roni

Ellis.

With kids decked out in Hawaiian shirts and holding American

flags, the assembly began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by

a sing-along to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”

Students made presentations on their achievements, showing how

they had raised funds.

Third-grader Annie Evans helped establish a charity restaurant,

the Crystal Cafe, that brought in more than $500 on its opening

night. Dubbed by Evans “an authentic american grill for fundraising,”

the restaurant was housed at a local clubhouse.

Girl Scouts sold cookies and brownies to bring in more than $100.

Personal letters of sympathy were also included.

Other individuals contributed with hair ribbon and lemonade sales.

“Together, we made a difference and helped everyone,” said Girl

Scouts Raiven Greenburg and Paige Studer during the assembly.

No one seemed happier with the kids’ efforts than Nancy Kindelan,

director of the American Red Cross’ Long Beach chapter.

“I think I’ve come to the coolest school I’ve ever been to,” said

Kindelan.

Having recently returned from hurricane-torn Mississippi, Kindelan

shared her experience of having witnessed families living in shelters

where the kids had no beds or toys.

“What you’re doing helps a lot,” Kindelan told the audience.