CONNEAUT — A young girl’s compassion for strangers half a world away was saluted by the American Red Cross Friday morning.
Abigaile Webster, a third-grade student at Gateway Elementary School, was applauded for launching a campaign that raised more than $1,700 for Haiti earthquake relief. Abigaile broached the subject with school staff, then promoted the fundraiser over a period of weeks.
The result was a flood of coins and other cash to assist victims of the January disaster.
“We needed a hand cart to carry it all,” said Lisa Ferrick, Abigaile’s teacher.
Renee Palagyi, executive director of Ashtabula County’s Red Cross, came to the school Friday to collect a check. Palagyi praised Abigaile and fifth-grader Sierra Brink — a big donor to the campaign — at a ceremony in Abigaile’s classroom.
“Nice job, ladies,” Palagyi said.
Abigaile said she was motivated to act after hearing about the earthquake on the news.
“I heard that Haiti was destroyed,” she said. “I looked on the computer and saw pictures (of the destruction).”
Beginning in January, Abigaile promoted her project, which included reading a speech to classmates over the school’s public address system. Was she nervous?
“The first time,” Abigaile said, smiling. “The school helped out.”
Sierra was saluted for raising a large amount of cash for Abigaile’s campaign. Sierra, too, was spurred to help after seeing images of the suffering, she said.
Abigaile’s project came as no surprise to her teacher.
“She is a very kind student,” Ferrick said.
Gateway is the latest school to rally around the Haiti relief effort, Palagyi said.
“Many schools are responding,” she said. “It seems every school (has a campaign). I’m amazed by the generosity.”
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
$1,700 for earthquake relief
Conneaut elementary student mobilizes her school to help Haiti
- Local News
-
-
Conneaut’s development headquarters takes shape
A small building two blocks from Lake Erie could become Conneaut’s economic development headquarters before the start of summer.
-
Sheriff’s detectives net two active meth labs
Acting on a tip, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s detectives and deputies uncovered an active methamphetamine lab Friday afternoon, according to Lt. Van Robison.
-
Former Ashtabula resident killed in car crash Tuesday
Ashley N. Penwell, 22, formerly of East Fourth St., Ashtabula, was pronounced dead at the scene of a Tuesday car crash on Charleston Pike Road in Chillicothe.
-
Ashtabula County is near top in 2011 bear sightings
Ashtabula County finished second in the number of black bear sightings reported in Ohio last year, according to a report from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife.
-
Break-in results in felony charges
A Conneaut man faces two felony charges stemming from a break-in at a vacant Cleveland Court house earlier this week, according to Conneaut Municipal Court records.
-
Conneaut Middle School’s Goodwill drive big success
Students and staff at Conneaut Middle School responded in a big way to a plea for donations issued late last month by Goodwill Industries of Ashtabula.
-
ACMC teams up with Goodwill on Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, area residents are encouraged to show their love by cleaning out their closets and heading over to Ashtabula County Medical Center.
-
Presses stopped: Updated with video
It was June 23, 1969.
-
Murder suspect kills self at mother’s grave
Madison Township police officers found the body of a murder suspect in the Alexander Harper Cemetery on Thursday afternoon, ending a day-long, multi-county manhunt.
-
Commissioners pay to get the business
Commissioners on Tuesday approved a $15,000 contract with Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County to provide business service representation on behalf of the county’s One-Stop job training center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
