ARLINGTON Nearly three years after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Sri Lanka is still recovering from its effects. The Key Club of Arlington High School has decided to help rebuild a school in Sri Lanka, in conjunction with international charity organization Free the Children.
The Key Club is the student branch of the Kiwanis, and while theyve contributed to dozens of different charities in years past, AHS Key Club faculty advisor Kristine Copenhaver explained that the students opted instead to support a single cause this school year.
Free the Children is a student-led organization that addresses child labor and other horrific treatment of children, Copenhaver said. Theyre dedicated to improving the lives of children around the world. As part of their adopt a village program, we were given the options of providing water, medical supplies or means of sustainable wealth. Our students decided that it would be poetic if our school could help build another school.
AHS senior and Key Club President KayLani Siplin was one of the students who felt moved by the plight of the tsunami victims.
They were left with nothing, Siplin said. At least this program can help get them the education they need.
The Key Club conducted its first fundraising event Oct. 29 through Nov. 2, by seeking to raise 40,000 pennies through a coin drive, in honor of the approximately 40,000 people who died as a result of the tsunami. The ultimate goal is to raise $8,500 by the end of the school year, but the students aspirations are more long-term than that.
Wed like to be able to establish ongoing relations and communication with the new school, maybe even with reciprocal visits, Copenhaver said. They could be our sister school. Ive been overwhelmed by the students enthusiasm and excitement. Theyve taken this idea and run with it.
Siplin admitted that Key Club students are still brainstorming further upcoming fundraisers, but she noted that numerous other student groups have already pledged their support.
We could hold a famine lunch, where people would donate what they would spend on lunch that day, Siplin said. The more we talk about it, the more people come. We had about seven or eight members last year, but weve got around 20 this year, with two new people at every meeting. There are a lot of needy people out there, so we can take at least a little time to help them out.
Copenhaver urged community members interested in contributing to contact her through the high school, at 360-618-6300.