St. Michael Elementary Students Show that Character Counts in Dollars and Cents

True character can't be measured. Usually, you either have it, or you don't.

But St. Michael Elementary can measure its character, to the tune of $1,082.44. 

The Character Kids from STME went door-to-door, classroom-to-classroom the week of March 21 to 25 to collect money for the American Red Cross' efforts in Japan, a country ravaged by an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis. 

Each day, Character Kids, who were selected by teachers and classmates to represent their grade, took a jar to each room. Teachers also pitched in, tossing in $5 to wear jeans for the week. 

"Most of them," said principal Sheila Bichler, "gave more than $5. There were $20s in the jar." 

In the end, collecting pocket change, coins from mom or dad's car and a few allowance dollars, the students raised more than $1,000. Students raised about two-thirds of that, for about $726. The teahers raised another $356. 

"It was tremendous support. The students really wanted to reach out and help after they saw all of the devistation over in Japan," Bichler said. 

If you would like to donate to the American Red Cross' recovery efforts in the Far East, click here, and join the kids from STME.