Students raise $1,044 for Red Cross

Students raise $1,044 for Red Cross



Watauga Red Cross director Sonny Sweet can't say enough about the fourth-graders at Valle Crucis Elementary School.

"It's a pretty good effort, wouldn't you say?" he said.

On Tuesday, students presented Sweet with a check for $1,044, the largest lump sum any Watauga school has delivered for the Haiti fund thus far.

"It means we're on top again," Sweet said.

The fourth-graders, joined by teacher Debbie Glover, spearheaded a campaign to sell wooden hearts and collect cash donations, all to benefit Haiti earthquake relief efforts.

"They did a great job," Valle Crucis principal Wayne Eberle said. "I'm so proud that this group of students realized there's something out there greater than just them ... that's phenomenal."

Eberle, Watauga County Schools Principal of the Year for 2010, promised to spend a day on the roof of the school if the class met its goal of $1,000.

Though the goal was surpassed, Eberle got a stay of execution Tuesday, thanks to a two-hour school delay because of the return to winter weather.

"We want him up there the whole day," Glover said.

He is expected to carry out his sentence this week, but he did practice climbing the ladder Tuesday.
Valle Crucis' $1,000 addition is just part of the estimated $12,000 Watauga fundraisers have raised for Haiti, Sweet said, and Hope for Haiti T-shirt sales are still happening.

To buy a shirt, or make a lump sum donation to the cause, contact the Watauga Chapter of the American Red Cross at (828) 264-8226 or visit http://www.wataugaredcross.com.