Seventh graders in Erika Smith's '93 geography class took their study of natural disasters one step further by integrating a comprehensive service learning project into their unit. Working individually and in small groups, the students planned and implemented 16 different fundraisers, including dress-down days, bake sales, a Middle School dance, a soccer clinic and off-site collections at religious congregations and area restaurants to raise a total of 00. "The students initially planned to use all proceeds toward assembling a variety of emergency kits for distribution by Church World Service," said Becky Boynton, Service Learning Coordinator, who, with Smith, was instrumental in helping to organize the student-led efforts. Following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan—and CWS' subsequent call for financial help in the aftermath—the class opted for both: they sent CWS checks totaling 72.45 for emergency relief in Japan, and they used the remaining funds to assemble and ship 100 school-, 32 hygiene-, and six baby care kits. "The students were enthusiastic and had terrific ideas," says Smith, "I'm hoping this lays a foundation for them to engage in similar service learning in the future."
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