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Volusia Schools Collect Over $117,000
for Katrina Relief Effort

Reaching out to all students, parents and staff members, Volusia County Schools collected over $117,000 for the Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort. These dollars, which will be presented to the American Red Cross on behalf of the entire school district, will be matched by an organization that is choosing to remain anonymous.

"The compassion shown by our school communities is overwhelming," stated Superintendent Margaret Smith. "We have seen incredible generosity and compassion from our students, parents and employees for the victims of Hurricane Katrina."

In addition to the district effort, many schools organized events and collection drives to benefit various local and gulf coast organizations, including:

Atlantic High — Students and teachers presented Shark Aid, a variety show, collecting over $2,100 in donations for the American Red Cross.

Boston Avenue — Staff and students sold student-made hurricane relief buttons in the community raising $900. Diapers and toiletries were also collected in collaboration with a local church.

Burns-Oak Hill Elementary — Students and staff are holding an on-going penny drive throughout the school year. All money collected will be donated to Hahnville High School in Louisiana (St. Charles Parish). This school was adopted for support by New Smryna Beach High School.

Coronado Beach Elementary — Students and staff are collecting school supplies to be donated to Hahnville High School in Louisiana, which was adopted by New Smyrna Beach High School.

Creekside Middle — Students and staff donated school supplies and book bags.

DeLand Middle — The Student Government Association worked in conjunction with the Salvation Army collecting food and other items, which were sent to a Jacksonville shelter for evacuees. Donated clothing was sent directly to the affected areas. These drives are still continuing. In addition, a benefit jazz/band concert was held, raising $600 which was donated to the American Red Cross.

Deltona High — Various clubs spearheaded the following efforts — HOSA collected clothing, toiletries, school supplies, food and basic medical supplies which were donated to the American Red Cross; FFA collected food toiletries, bedding and clothing for an agri-science program in the state of Mississippi, in addition the FFA alumni sponsored a carwash, collecting $800 to date; Elite donated clothes to the Sheriff's Department; DECA collected toiletries which will be sent to a local church for distribution; SETA collected pet food, which was donated to the Louisiana State Veterinary Department; Varsity Link Crew collected school supplies and items for babies; student government donated $2 from each homecoming ticket to the district's relief effort (estimated donation $2,000); JROTC collected toiletries and clothing for the American Red Cross; National Honor Society collected cash donations for the Salvation Army; Juniorettes filled twelve backpacks with supplies for students enrolling in Volusia schools; and a percentage of the proceeds from the school's fall play will be donated to the American Red Cross.

Deltona Lakes Elementary — The school adopted over 30 families in the small fishing town of LaFitte, Louisiana for continued help until they are on their feet.

Educational Development Center (district office) — Staff members collected thousands of pounds of pet food and hundreds of dollars, all of which was donated to the Animal Rescue Need and Intervention Foundation (ARNI).

Freedom Elementary — Students and teachers were permitted to wear crazy hats for one day in exchange for donating money to the American Red Cross. The school raised $1,330.

George Marks Elementary — Students and staff collected supplies and clothing, which were donated to a DeLand High teacher's National Guard Unit for distribution to families in Louisiana.

Heritage Middle — Over 200 students and teachers participated in a Bike-A-Thon+ raising over $15,000 for the American Red Cross. The school also collected and donated a semi-truck full of donated food, hygiene products and clothing for children.

New Smyrna Beach Middle — A teacher donated twelve boxes of cake mix to the family and consumer science classes, which baked and sold cupcakes, raising $250. Another teacher and his students held a carwash for teachers using materials donated by Wal-Mart. A third teacher and his students collected toys and stuffed animals, which were donated to the Desire Street Ministries, a non-profit organization in New Orleans.

New Smyrna Beach High — The school adopted Hahnville High School in Louisiana (St. Charles Parish). Collection efforts include school supplies, school uniforms, toiletries, cash and food. Schools in the Southeast Volusia area are supporting the high school's efforts. In addition, NSBHS classes and clubs sponsored a "purple and gold" day, selling Mardi Gras beads, Cuda stamps, face painting and king cakes to raise money for this project.

Orange City Elementary — A third grade class is sponsoring a school wide "loose change" drive to see how many times they can fill their classroom piggy bank before winter break. The proceeds will be donated to the Humane Society Disaster Relief Fund for the pets left behind during the storms.

Pierson Elementary — Students and staff collected over 2,500 pounds of pet food, which was donated to Animal Rescue Need and Intervention Foundation (ARNI).

Pine Ridge High — Students and staff presented Light After Darkness — The Katrina Relief Showcase, collecting $1,300 for Church World Services.

Read-Pattillo Elementary — Students and staff collected over 1,500 pounds of pet food, which was donated to Animal Rescue Need and Intervention Foundation (ARNI).

Seabreeze High — The Fellowship of Christian Athletics raised $10,000 in donations for the North American Mission Board and the Sandcrabs (Students And Neighbors Dedicated to Charity Relief And Benevolent Services) and TAR-Teen-Age Republicans conducted a food and clothing drive.

Southwestern Middle — Students, parents and faculty/staff donated school supplies and other items to fill 25 backpacks to be shipped to students in the gulf coast for the "We've Got Your Back" campaign. Southwestern students wrote special "I'm thinking of you" notes for each backpack and attached a "cool" keychain.

South Daytona Elementary — Students and staff collected over 400 pounds of pet food, which was donated to Animal Rescue Need and Intervention Foundation (ARNI).

Spruce Creek Elementary — Students collected $400 to help local relief efforts for animals stranded during the storm.

Spruce Creek High — Various clubs spearheaded the following efforts: Technology Club and French Club conducted a food drive; Psychology Club collected peanut butter, jelly, bottled water, Gatorade and cereal; National Honor Society held a car wash and collected hygiene items; the Web III class offered to develop web sites and logos for local companies/organizations in exchange for donations to the American Red Cross; and the Digital Design students created and printed posters to advertise and increase support for the fundraising drive. The ESE Department collected clothing and cell phones, which were donated to the NAACP for distribution to Katrina victims.

Sweetwater Elementary — In partnership with Aunt Catfish Restaurant and the Salvation Army, staff and students collected food, water, clothing, toiletries, and school supplies. Other efforts included a teacher and her intern who donated two pennies per day for every student who was present and had all their work complete and no behavioral problems. Fourth grade students hosted a hurricane dance to raise additional money.

Sunrise Elementary — First grade teachers used Scholastic Book Club Bonus Points to buy 50 books for the first grade children who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina. Second graders organized a bake sale to raise funds.

Taylor Middle-High — The FFA and FFEA adopted Springfield High School to support throughout the relief effort, donating water, food, and clothing to the school. The PTSA donated $250 to the adopted school.