Kids and kindness

Say this for disaster: It can turn children away from TV and computer screens and into motivated philanthropists.

We aren't making light of the devastation that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in Haiti. We do acknowledge, however, the brilliance emanating from the bright souls of North Idaho children whose compassion has led them to action; action to do something to help people they don't know, people they never will meet.

While adults from our region have served the medical needs of Haitian victims and likely will continue to assist in the weeks ahead, children have rallied to do their part by raising not only awareness, but money.

Students at Prairie View Elementary in Post Falls pitched in $424.41 for Red Cross efforts in Haiti. The Rathdrum Rowdy Riders 4-H Club organized a successful coin drive, and one highly motivated fifth-grader, Ponderosa Elementary's Timberlynn Short, single-handedly collected $193.85 from students and staff.

One of the defining moments of local efforts to help in Haiti came Friday night at Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy. New faculty member Dr. Lynda LeBlanc and her French class students brewed up a big ol' batch of gumbo and served it with potato salad, French bread, iced tea, desserts and heaping amounts of goodwill for the Haitian people. Assisted by a talented bluegrass band, the students pulled in $1,700 that night. Combined with an earlier coin drive, the little school with a big heart pitched in more than $3,200 for Haitian assistance.

Many other kid-powered local fundraisers have been and will be held for the people of Haiti, and we applaud each and every one. Tragedy can be a powerful teacher, and there is no greater lesson than compassion.