STOWE PA – No matter what their families’ financial circumstances, children in the Pottsgrove School District‘s West Pottsgrove Elementary School are learning that – compared to their counterparts elsewhere in the world – they have much to be thankful for.

Principal Ruth Fisher, left, presents Lifetouch representatives with a donation from West Pottsgrove students.

Representatives of Lifetouch Photography, the district’s vendor for school photos, were guest lecturers last Thursday (Oct. 21, 2010) at a special assembly attended by West Pottsgrove students. They learned the history of Haiti, its current poverty, and of the efforts of Lifetouch volunteers to build new schools there.

The talk so inspired students and teachers, West Pottsgrove Principal Ruth Fisher reports, that they began a coin drive to collect donations for the Lifetouch project. Pennies, nickels and dimes donated by students and staff members will be used to directly benefit the construction of a school in Haiti, she said. Although the school has already presented an initial contribution, its effort will continue through November.

The initiative has been well received by parents too, Fisher said, and has generated several positive comments.

The Haiti collection coincides with a book, titled “How Full Is Your Bucket?,” currently being read and discussed at West Pottsgrove. It encourages children to recognize the many good things of life they enjoy.

Lifetouch representatives are expected to return for another assembly next spring to report to the students on how their donations were used.

Photo from West Pottsgrove Elementary