Change for Haiti

Throughout the month of May, the children in pre-k through 5th grade at Cross Creek Charter Academy (in Byron Center, Michigan) collected change to raise money in order to buy the children at our school some French books. Like many schools in the US, Cross Creek has over 20,000 books available for children to read on a daily basis. After Shelly and Lexi shared in an assembly in April that the children at our school had less than 50 books total, the kids were overwhelmed with love and compassion for these children, wanting them to be able to have some of the opportunities that they have. "Change for Haiti" was an ongoing project for the month of May, where cans were placed in each classroom and children would bring spare change from home and donate it to the cause.

Many children brought in money over the 4 week project. There were several children that collected change from family and friends to bring in to school, as well as many who brought in some of their very own money. One little girl in kindergarten filled the entire front pocket of her backpack and drug it into the classroom one morning. Another little boy in first grade brought in change every single day, whether it was 5 cents or 5 dollars worth. Toward the end of our collection, a boy in first grade named Zachary came into the classroom carrying a little baggie. Inside was a note from his mom to the teacher with some change inside.

The note reads "Zachary wanted to send some of his own money for Haiti." Inside the bag, were two dimes, a nickel and 3 pennies. For this little guy, it was like giving away his savings to help the children of Haiti. Beyond precious. The bag is still sitting on my coffee table, as I am so touched by his generosity at age 6, and cannot bear to take it apart yet. Giving from the heart, that is all He asks of us. The heart of a child ... priceless.

Week after week, the change was counted, rolled and deposited ... week after week, I was shocked by the amount of money that came in. In pennies alone during the third week, we had over $57 ... who says that pennies are worthless ??

My hope, or goal, in doing this project was to raise awareness for our orphanage and school in Haiti, at the same time hopefully raising a few hundred dollars to buy books for the children. I was blown away when the total for the first week of the four was over $655!!! The change kept coming, the children kept working hard and were so excited, constantly asking me in the hallway what the totals were and whose class had the most change. By the end of week four, the total was so overwhelming, I could barely get the words out as I shared their accomplishments with the children.

$1,500. In change. IN CHANGE!! Talk about making a change in the world by doing something simple!! I am so proud of each and every child that participated in this challenge and I am so thrilled that Cross Creek Charter Academy has such awesome kids willing to help other kids who don't have everything that they have. THANK YOU CROSS CREEK for making a difference! Thank you for partnering with us to touch lives. YOU are the hands and feet of Jesus, and you are changing lives!! What a blessing!!