Posted: 1/25/05
Students raise funds for tsunami victims
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
St. Johnís Lutheran School students in Caledonia were having too much fun for it to be a serious fundraiser, right?
Wrong.
The schoolís 91 students raised about $3,300 to help victims of the December 26, 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia.
They did it in just a week by asking for donations from family members and friends.
And then they got to have fun on January 18. Former physical education teacher Karyl Diersen put together a gymnasium version of The Amazing Race, a popular television show.
Four teams competed for the best time in a series of activities ñ running around obstacles, tossing a bean bag, crossing a balance beam, ringing a bell, jumping on a trampoline, scooting across the floor, crawling under a beam, and shooting a basket.
ìKind of fun.î Thatís how eighth grader Jessica Kruckow described it, although her smile displayed more enthusiasm than her words.
And Jessica said the goofy race held another lesson. ìYou can raise money to help people.î
The Amazing Race was a fun contest, thanks to the usual creativity of Diersen, teacher Barb Jacobson said.
It was also a way to celebrate the fundraising, which stemmed from students studying the Biblical parable of the Good Samaritan. It was a practical way to show how people can help their neighbors, Jacobson said.
Each student was given a pledge envelope, and collected the money ñ $3,300 and counting ñ in one week.
Students are very aware of the awful things that people in the tsunami-ravaged areas are going through, said Jacobson, who teaches grades three and four..
As we visited, Ardyce Esch of Caledonia walked into the gym with some money in her hand. Her face held a smile that looked like it didnít go away often. She seemed to symbolize the generosity and concern that people have shown for the victims of the tragic tsunami, which has killed an estimated 221,000 people in 11 countries.
Mrs. Esch said she was just there to drop off a small donation. ìI think itís great,î she said of the kidsí race, and of their effort of helping their neighbors half a world away.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com