4-H Delivers

Loose Change Benefits Victims of Haiti Earthquake

The Issue

Haiti was hit by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in January 2010 and within two weeks, over fifty aftershocks were recorded. Major damage was sustained to virtually all of the cities in the country, with many cultural and national monuments being destroyed. However, the real tragedy was the estimated three million people who were affected by the earthquake. According to the Haitian government, 230,000 people died, 300,000 were injured, and over 1,000,000 people were left homeless.

What has 4-H Done?

A 4-Her from Sutter County saw the images of the wreckage and knew she needed to help. At the local 4-H Achievement Night Dinner, fifth grader Maddy from the Pleasant Grove 4-H Club asked families to donate spare change into a jar; in her first night, she collected $17.00. This was a start, but she was motivated to raise much more. Maddy went to her school's principal, the principal of another local school, and the Post Office with her proposal. She created loose change jars which she distributed to classrooms and the U.S. Post Office, with the ultimate goal of trying to raise $200 to donate to the local Red Cross.

The Payoff

In just five days, Maddy collected over $400 in change from members of her community. She visited the local Three Rivers Chapter of the Red Cross and arranged with the CEO of the chapter to have her donation directed to Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

Maddy's dedication to community service and helping those in need will not stop with this first fundraiser. She is already organizing an annual loose change drive to benefit local residents in need.

Author: Annalee Sanborn, Student Assistant, State 4-H Office