L to R: Mrs. Bonanno, Devan Maxstadt, Sam Nelson, Emily Roberts, Ms. Carioto and Matt Duddy

March 5, 2010 - The Southgate Elementary School Kindness and Caring Club is not only making a noticeable difference in their school, they are now making strides that are being felt nearly 1600 miles away in Haiti.

Over the past month, the Kindness and Caring Club collected “loose change” for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. By the end of February, the club had over $1,350, an astonishing figure for such a short amount of time.

“The work of the the Kindness and Caring Club has truly started a chain reaction,” Southgate Principal, Jerri Lynne Dedrick said. “The projects the Kindness and Caring Club members have undertaken have incorporated all of our elementary students, showing that each of them can make a difference, and has excited them to do so.”

On Wednesday, March 3, the entire Southgate community gathered together in the gym to present a check to the Red Cross. Matt Duddy, a representative of the Red Cross thanked the students for their kindness and generosity, explaining to them that their efforts will not go unnoticed.

“The money you collected will be put to a great cause,” Duddy said. “You have helped so many today and we cannot thank you enough.”