By Patrick Tepoorten

Students and faculty in the North Branch school district have been busy over the last couple of weeks gathering donations of equipment and funds to send to the victims of hurricane Katrina, which devastated areas of Louisiana and Mississippi.

At the Primary School and Sunrise River Elementary School, principals Jan Fischer and Sara Svir responded to a challenge from the Minnesota Elementary School Principles Association (MESPA) calling for elementary schools to attempt to raise a dollar per student. The Primary School raised $500 and Sunrise River raised $755, all of which has already been sent to MESPA.

The money collected through this fund-raiser will be sent directly to schools in Louisiana and Mississippi that have been identified as in need of financial support.

According to Fischer, schools along the gulf coast are most in need of everyday items like pencils and paper, and may also use donations to replace student uniforms for children. Statewide, the MESPA fund-raiser will continue through Oct. 10.

At the middle school, "penny wars" produced $550, which has been donated to the American Red Cross. Student Council Advisor Pam Newbauer noted that students in the region would be returning to school soon, and added "We can do a school supply drive for those students."

The high school has also taken part in the districtwide effort, donating 250 desks and chairs to Hope For The City in St. Louis Park. If the desks and chairs are unable to be used in the region devastated by Katrina, they will be donated to other districts that have been determined to be in need.

National Honor Society students held their own fund-raiser, soliciting donations from staff and the student body over lunch period. Through there efforts they were able to raise over $1,600 for the American Red Cross.

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