PORT ANGELES — Students at two schools are ready to join the worldwide mobilization to aid victims of the deadly tsunami and its aftermath in South Asia.
Dry Creek Elementary School Principal Mary Hebert announced a can drive Monday in partnership with All Metal Recycling of Port Angeles.
Hebert said residents can donate their empty aluminum cans to All Metal Recycling, 124 S. Albert St., in the name of Dry Creek students through June 30 and the recycler will reimburse the school 30 cents per pound of cans received — 3 cents more than the standard rate.
“All proceeds will go to UNICEF because that’s what our children requested,” said Hebert.
“They want the help going to other children.”
All Metal Recycling is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
At Roosevelt Middle School, sixth-grade students have started their own fund drive, principal Brad Boudreau said.
The idea was initiated by students belonging to the sixth grade, which months before had dubbed themselves the “tsunamis.”
“Students want to turn the negative connotation of ‘tsunamis’ into something positive,” said Boudreau.
At an assembly Monday, students and teachers unveiled a “copper and silver” coin drive in which proceeds will go to the American Red Cross.
Each of the school’s three grades has set up two five-gallon jugs — one for pennies and the other for other coins. The class that fills their jugs first will win a prize.
“The great thing about this is it’s all been kid-inspired,” said Boudreau.
“This helps students be a part of something bigger than themselves.”