Mary Morrisson Students Collect Change For A Cause

The students at have collected more than $500 in change to help a former Fitch High School student buy school supplies and start a lunch program for a school in Africa.

Jennifer Aspinwall, a Fitch graduate, is raising money for a school in Homa Bay, Kenya, and visited students at Mary Morrisson about three weeks ago to talk about her project. Aspinwall wants to collect enough to buy supplies like pencils, books, art supplies and balls for the classroom in the African village, and also develop a food program for students.

The students at Mary Morrisson take on a service project each year, and chose Aspinwall’s cause.

“They are very passionate about giving this money,” said Kaitlen Barnhart, 9, of her classmates.

Fourth grade teacher Amy Murphy, chairwoman of the service committee, organized a committee of students in first through fifth grade to work on the project.

The students made signs to promote the “Change For Change” project, decorated jars for every classroom, then began collecting and counting the money once a week. The goal is $2,000.

“We have little contests so the kids will want to participate,” Nya MacDonald, 10, explained. For example, for every $250 raised, one of the staff members has to dye their hair blue (the school color). Students in classrooms that raise $50 or more get to vote on who it is.

“I think Miss Murphy (should dye her hair) because she has more hair so it will show more,” said Renee Prieto, 9.

Murphy said students are learning that they can contribute.

“We’re trying to teach them that there’s more out there and that they have an influence and can make a change,” she said. “Whether they have a lot, or a little, they can still participate in changing someone’s life.”