It’s been nearly three years since a powerful earthquake devastated the already fragile economy and living conditions in the Caribbean country of Haiti. While the distant country remains in a state of chaos, the needs of the Haitian people have not been forgotten by a teacher and a group of students in Elma.
Under the guidance of Leslie Zielinski, a science teacher at Annunciation School on Clinton Street, seventh and eighth grade students at the Catholic elementary school have been collecting items such as toothbrushes, washcloths and soap that will be counted and packaged at the school and transported to Haiti for distribution at a Haitian clinic. Parishioners of Annunciation Church have also been very active in supporting this goodwill initiative.
Students have also been holding baked good sales and collecting donations through other means to raise funds to purchase even more items. Additionally, they have been creating handmade “salvation bracelets” — each bead having a special message — that will be given to those in Haiti still struggling to pick up the pieces following the 2010 earthquake.
And on Friday, Nov. 2, Mrs. Zielinski will join other representatives from Western New York’s faith community on a journey to Haiti to assist at the clinic and distribute the collected items to those in need. The week-long journey will be Mrs. Zielinski’s first trip to Haiti.
Annunciation students and staff take part in numerous service projects throughout the year and have recently assisted organizations such as the Food Bank of Western New York, St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy and The Franciscan Center, to name just a few.
For more information about the school, located at 7580 Clinton St., please visit www.annunciationschoolelma.com or call 681-1327. Annunciation offers Pre-K 3, Pre-K4, Kindergarten, and Grades 1-8 and is home to the innovative Center for Health Science program.
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .