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The Arlington Times • March 24, 2010
Haiti earthquake responders recount experiences to Post Middle School students BY ADAM RUDNICK arudnick@arlingtontimes.com
ARLINGTON — Every dollar counts. That’s what students found out during a recent presentation by Dr. Jerry Rusher and nurse practitioner Jeanne Wessel at Post Middle School. The two Arlington residents were part of a team of volunteers who recently spent time in Haiti helping earthquake victims at a hospital in Dessalines — a city about 90 miles north of Port-au-Prince. Rusher and Wessel were on hand Friday, March 19, to share their experiences in the ravaged country, and thanked the students for their generous donation. “Don’t think that just because you’re in sixth, seventh or eighth grade that you can’t make a difference,” Wessel told a group of about 75 students in the school’s library. “The money you raised is worth eight times as much in Haiti as it is here. It bought a lot of food and medicine — give yourself a hand.” Students at Post raised $750 from a three-day bake sale in January for a group
of area volunteers, including Wessel, who left for Haiti in late January after the quake hit the country’s capital. The idea for the fundraiser came from students in sixth-grade teacher Cody Decker’s class. Students collected items and sold them in the school, and donated the proceeds to the Post PTA, which in turn gave them to the departing group of volunteers from Arlington Free Methodist Church. “We had piles of cookies, and two tables up at the front of the school,” said sixth-grader Brandon Qual. Those same students hosted the three Friday presentations made by Rusher and Wessel, which were given during first, second and third periods. “This is kind of their reward,” Decker said. Rusher began the presentations with a short introduction, and followed it up with a brief slideshow of photos taken by volunteers during their trip to Haiti. Wessel then followed up with a second slideshow. Many of the photos shown were of Haitian patients who were receiving care after the Jan. 12 earth-
quake. One photo showed a picture of the collapsed four-story Friends of Haiti Organization building that collapsed on and injured Arlington resident Katie Zook. Zook is currently recovering with her family and receiving physical therapy and treatment for the nonlife threatening injuries she sustained. “After the building collapsed, Katie couldn’t holler because the concrete would have crumbled on her,” Wessel told the students. “So she tapped a bottle until somebody heard her. The rescuer told her to just keep praying and don’t stop tapping.” Qual said the presentation was difficult to watch, but added that he learned a lot about not taking what he has for granted. “We’re kind of spoiled with what we have here,” Qual said. “It was an accomplishment that we were able to raise money and help and see where our money went.” Fellow sixth-grader Aaron Paloalto agreed with Qual. “I bet times are really hard for those kids,” Paloalto said.
Student holds pool party for ARC BY ADAM RUDNICK arudnick@arlingtontimes.com
ARLINGTON — When Burch Walker saw the damage caused by the January earthquake in Haiti, he wanted to help out. So the Eagle Creek Elementary fourth-grader decided to hold a fundraiser that would combine his willingness to help with his love of swimming. “Because I swim here, I thought we could just do it here,” he said. Burch raised $328 for the American Red Cross on Friday, March 19, by hosting a free swimming party at the Marysville-Pilchuck High School Pool. During the hour-long party, Burch collected donations at the door from about 70 children that showed up. The student invited about 200 people from his school and swim team — the
Adam Rudnick/Staff Photo
Eagle Creek Elementary student Burch Walker recently collected $328 for the American Red Cross during a pool party. Mighty Marlins. In addition to getting a chance to swim, Burch’s invitees got Krispy Kreme doughnuts and juice pouches. Burch’s mom, Voni Walker, said that her son originally collected $175
from his relatives. After reserving the pool, he still had about $125 left to put toward the Red Cross. “His original goal was $200, but since he already raised $125, he changed it to about $300,” Voni Walker said.
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Adam Rudnick/Staff Photo
Dr. Jerry Rusher, of Arlington, talks about his recent volunteer efforts in Haiti for students at Post Middle School on Friday, March 19. Post students donated $750 to a group of volunteers who used that money to purchase medical supplies and food for earthquake victims.