University Park Elementary Raises Thousands for Japan

It may not seem like something elementary school children are thinking about, but students at University Park Elementary school decided they wanted to help the people of Japan after an earthquake and tsunami destroyed nearby city Sendai and several other towns.

Physical Education Teacher Christy Neff said the week-long fundraiser led to a total of about $3,100. They are hoping to donate the funds through Save The Children, who helped the school receive a 4 -to-1 match last year when the school raised $4,000 for Haiti.

Students collected change from family and friends and brought it in each morning to be counted in the school's "Make a Change" campaign, Neff said. Students even collected donations night by selling refreshments.

Teachers discussed the tragedy in class and posted their classes total donations outside each room.

A friendly competition was also created among grade levels, she said, with third grade leading the fundraising with more than $500 in donations, followed by fourth grade, than sixth grade.

"The value for them is limitless," Neff said, adding she heard children talking to one another about the importance of charity.

On Friday morning, one Pre-K student came enthusiastically running in gripping some pennies to donate to the charity.

"You could see in his face that he was on a mission to donate," she said.