For some, giving can be very hard, but for others like fourth grader Ian Viall it’s a part of their very nature.
On Thursday, Jan. 28, Viall, alongside his parents, teachers and classmates at Glendaal Elementary School, Viall collected cans to recycle and give the profits to the Salvation Army to help those in Haiti who are recovering from the recent earthquake in the country. Viall said he was moved when he saw the devastation on the news a week ago.
What upset me the most about it was that the president and the people did not have a home, said Viall. `It made me feel bad inside.`
Working with his parents, Viall began to collect cans to recycle and take the contributions to the Salvation Army to donate to the relief efforts in Haiti. Viall brought the idea to Glendaal Elementary Principal Thomas Eagan to include the school in the effort.
`I felt very bad for them, so my family and I came up with the idea,` said Viall. `We basically started it and I came in and told Mr. Eagan about it.`
Currently, there are nearly 1700 cans, amounting in over $75, to be donated to the relief effort. Monetary donations have also been taken by members of the Glendaal community, amounting in nearly $300, with a final goal of $500. An assembly to present the final total contribution to the Salvation Army has been set for Feb.4.
`I think it’s wonderful that this initiative came from a student,` said Eagan. `I think it says a lot about Ian and the students in general.`
Ian’s parents, Randy and Catherine Marker, said that their son has always been a kind and charitable person. Last Christmas, he gave monetary donations to the Salvation Army in the names of around 15 of his family members in lieu of gifts. In the efforts to help those in Haiti, Ian has already donated the $17 he has for the effort and has his classmates working alongside him to help those in Haiti with the can drive.
`Ian’s a special little boy,` said step-father Randy Marker. `He’s very kind. Every time there’s a disaster we talk about how grateful we are, he is a great kid.`
Mother Catherine Marker agrees, `He’s a very charitable-minded child. He really is, he really wants to help people.`
Fourth grade teachers Lynn Stallmer and Janice Grant said that in teaching students in her class about current global events, the students, the students in class with Ian were motivated to help out in any way they can, stating that in morning announcements they were told that 1 cent can help to buy a liter of water for those in need in Haiti.
`It was very motivating for them. I think it was a fabulous idea,` said Grant of the work by the students. `It’s amazing to see it at this age.`
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