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| Help pours in for Haiti victims |
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| News | |||
| Written by Brian McCauley | |||
| Wednesday, 03 February 2010 08:00 | |||
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Like most 11-year-olds, Kennedy McMullin of Paola likes watching Nickelodeon. Which is why it’s no surprise that Kennedy, a fifth-grader at Trinity Lutheran School in Block, was watching the children’s television network when she first found out about the items that are in desperate need in Haiti following a devastating earthquake that struck Jan. 12.  And like many other good-willed children and adults who have been affected by the images coming from the tragedy-stricken country, Kennedy decided she needed to take action. The young humanitarian quickly began thinking up ways she could spearhead a local campaign to collect money and items that could help the thousands of people who desperately need them. One problem soon arose — how would she get them delivered to Haiti? That answer recently came while Kennedy was attending the Harlem Ambassadors basketball game in Paola. Local financial adviser Curtis Long announced to the crowd of people at the game that the Paola Rotary Club was collecting items and money to help the people of Haiti, and Heart to Heart International was being used to deliver the donations to those in need. That was all Kennedy needed to hear. She went right to work typing up flyers asking for donations, and soon she got a flyer into the hands of almost everyone at Trinity Lutheran School and Trinity Lutheran Church. The donations started pouring in, but Kennedy didn’t stop there. She continued to spread her message throughout Paola, and several residents and businesses have stepped in to do there part. Ryan Sanders, who practices dentistry in Paola, donated more than 100 tooth brushes and tubes of toothpaste. Kennedy continued to collect items throughout last week, wrapping up her campaign on Sunday with a few final donations from members from her church. “It feels really good,” Kennedy said about her efforts and the positive response she has gotten from the community. Kennedy’s mother, Kristie, said her daughter took on the campaign all by herself, and for the past couple weeks, Kennedy has been closely watching the news footage from Haiti. “She was really excited when they found the girl after two weeks,” Kristie said. “It was a miracle.” Thanks in large part to Kennedy’s efforts, as well as $400 collected at Sunflower Elementary School, Long said Paola Rotary was able to raise more than $700, as well as collect several needed items to be shipped to Haiti via Heart to Heart International. Paola resident Carole Moore, who volunteers with Heart to Heart and helps organize the efforts of many of the organization’s other local volunteers, said she is very proud of her community. “I think Paola’s response has been wonderful,” Moore said. All of the local donations will go to Heart to Heart’s global distribution warehouse in Kansas City, Kan., where they will then be shipped to Haiti, Moore said. Residents can still help by donating directly to Heart to Heart International, www.hearttoheart.org, or contact the Salvation Army, www.salvationarmyusa.org. Peoples Bank also is using some of its branches as collection points for donations to the American Red Cross relief effort in Haiti. Miami County’s collection point is at the People’s Bank branch in Louisburg, 212 S. Broadway St. The public is encouraged to bring in monetary donations of any amount now through Feb. 15. Peoples Bank will match donations, up to $2,500 toward the final donation total, according to a news release.
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