OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- In continued support of philanthropy, the student council committee at Osan American Elementary School decided to raise donations and help a local Korean orphanage.
The students gathered a grand total of 7,828 diapers to help the Myung-Jin Orphanage in Seoul.
“When we started our student council in the fall, we wanted to reach out into the local community and the students noticed a large number of orphanages,” said Valerie Rainey, OAES staff development teacher and student council advisor. “We decided to find and sponsor one for the year.”
Additionally, the OAES students gathered hygiene donations during their ‘5 days of Christmas’ charity drive.
The student council, comprised of nine students, collected a plethora of snacks, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, lotion, toilet paper and toothbrushes and toothpaste overflowing more than 20 boxes of essential items.
“When we went up to drop off donations, the council advisors spent time in the baby room, which had 18 babies from newborn to toddler,” Rainey continued. “The staff told us there was a large need for essential baby items, so we came back to brainstorm on ideas.
The students decided to make candy grams for Valentine’s Day to raise donations for diapers and wipes. Within a few days, there was a wall of diapers.
“The students have been amazing in their efforts in selling candy grams and helping gather other donations,” said Bill Elliott, OAES educational technologist and student council advisor, who coordinated with Myung-Jin Orphanage to receive the donations. “The staff at the orphanage is always blown away by seeing how much is donated.”
In the upcoming months, the student council is planning on an additional fundraiser to help support the orphanage.
“It’s nice to help other people instead of just thinking about yourself,” said Walter Carroll, OAES student council member “We’re not the only people in the world, so it’s important to help other people who need it.”
For more information on helping the student council, contact Bill Elliott or Valerie Rainey at DSN 784-6912 or Comm. 0505-784-0512.