Schools

Winnetka Middle School Raises Money for Haiti

Carleton Washburne Middle School is raising money for a Haitian library.

Middle Schoolers at Carleton Washburne Middle School are sticking their noses in their books — and raising money for a good cause while they're at it.

The 7th and 8th grade students are participating in the school's third annual read-a-thon for the Petit-Goave Library in Haiti, which was destroyed in the devastating 2010 earthquke.

Thanks in part to the middle school's help, the school was recently able to rent a building (they were in a tent in the interim after the storm). This year, students are raising more funds for books, as well as donating school supplies. 

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"It's a time when we can celebrate reading and help a library in Haiti," organizer Katie Nelson, the school's Resource Center Director, said.

Students can pledge money, collecting it from family, friends and anyone else who wants to donate, and then the students come in and read in the library during their English class.

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"There's kids everywhere — last year we had 300 participants," Nelson said. 

Nelson is Facebook friends with the librarians at the Petit-Goave Library, and communicates via email with them with New Trier librarian Deborah Lazar. (Lazar organizes a similar effort at New Trier's Northfield Campus). 

"They're so grateful," Nelson said of the Haitian libraries. "This helps energize not just the people [using the library], but also the staff." 

The read-a-thon will take place on Fri., March 22. Donations are still being accepted, and can be made by emailing Nelson at katienelson@winnetka36.org or over the phone at (847)446-5892 ext. 3294. 

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