Burroughs Students Raised More than $6,000 for Japan

On May 4 at Burroughs Community School Auditorium, students had a reason to feel proud. The Red Cross’ Megan Feigal was there to accept the more than $6,000 in donations for Japan raised by the students since March. 

Feigal spoke to the students about philanthropy and the Red Cross. During the presentation, the students were also recognized for their efforts. What began in Janel McGreevy’s class as a desire to do something to help the victims of Japan’s devastating earthquake quickly spread through the rest of the fifth grade and the rest of the school, even out into the community. 

“It was a remarkable experience to be a part of this fundraiser,” McGreevy said.  

A group of four kindergarten students at who also attend  Sunshine Montessori School (and one more who attends Sunshine but not Burroughs) recently decided they wanted to help out as well. Kathryn Klibanoff’s daughter Simone first had the idea, inspired by McGreevy’s class and Klibanoff herself, who had lived in Japan and still keeps in touch with a host family there. 

“She came home one day and said, ‘You know, Mom, I have this idea that we could sell our toys and books,’” Klibanoff said.

And so they planned a sale to contribute to Burroughs' Japan fundraiser.

Dubbed the Sunshine Kids, the young philanthropists unfortunately had to deal with rain and cold on April 30, the day of their sale. Klibanoff said they considered postponing the sale, but then she remembered a poem she learned in Japan that begins ‘Undaunted by the rain, Undaunted by the wind.’

“I thought to myself, ‘Well there you go, we just have to press on. We’ll do this inside the garage,’” Klibanoff said.

The Sunshine Kids welcomed a steady stream of customers from 9 a.m. to noon, selling toys, books, lemonade and cookies, and collecting donations as well. All told, they collected $470.64.

At Burroughs on Wednesday, a check for $6,280.62 was presented to Red Cross and an additional $51.00 was donated after the presentation, bringing the grand total of Burroughs’ fundraising to $6,331.62.

While the Japan fundraiser has now come to a close, it seems it has made a lasting impression on those involved. Lilla, one of the Sunshine Kids, turned to her mother after the ceremony on Wednesday and said, “Well, what are we going to raise money for next?”