Post Falls students help with Japan disaster
<p>West Ridge Elementary fifth-grader Paul Sand, far left, buys licorice from Chris Hunt, center, and Brock Zeller at the Post Falls school on Thursday. Proceeds from the snack sales will be donated to the American Red Cross to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.</p>
POST FALLS - One math problem, licorice strand and coin at a time, local students are making a difference to victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Students have deployed various efforts to donate to the American Red Cross relief efforts.
Donette Pickett, program manager for Apangea Learning, a supplemental online math program, said 33 North Idaho students in the past four days have donated their points to assist the Red Cross instead of redeeming them for prizes.
"So far, North Idaho students alone have donated 33,000 points," Pickett said.
Apangea donates $1 per 1,000 points to a charity of the students' choice. On average, it takes about two hours to get 1,000 points.
Mullan Trail Elementary's Sean Hirtle has donated 8,000 of his points since Saturday and classmate Kailen Skewis 1,000.
"We applaud their efforts and others to make a difference, one math problem and one dollar at a time," Pickett said.
At Ponderosa Elementary, third-grader Kaisa Stowers set up a collection jar at the office window.
"I heard about the earthquake and I wanted to donate money to them so they can build more stuff," she said. "I saw on the news that water is coming in and taking out buildings and it's a whole bunch of mess everywhere. I want the people to be OK and not hurt. It would be nice if adults who are reading the newspaper would donate money to Japan."
West Ridge Elementary students are donating their proceeds from snack sales to the Red Cross.
Fifth-grader Brock Zeller said students felt a need to make a difference in Japan as they have done with other disaster victims.
"With all that's happening over there, we wanted to help restore their country," Zeller said. "The other night I was watching the news and, besides the fact there was an earthquake and tsunami over there, four of the six nuclear reactors are leaking and two have exploded."
"A lot of people are being evacuated and forced to stay indoors. A lot of people have died because of all the tragedy over there and families are sad. We want to send them money to make sure something good happens."
Fifth-grader Koreena Grant said everyone should assist if they can regardless if the disaster is in another country or if you don't know any of the victims.
"Even though we don't know the families, we should still help restore their homes," Grant said. "Some people think, 'Oh well. It's not in my country.' But I think that it's good that the student board is donating the money."