Boulevard Elementary students sell Hearts for Haiti pins to benefit the American Red Cross
Boulevard Elementary students make Hearts for Haiti pins to help the victims of January's earthquake.
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After the earthquake struck in Haiti, Boulevard Elementary art teacher Kelley Wachhaus decided to get her Cleveland Heights students involved in helping Haitian families. With the enthusiastic support of Principal Larry Swoope, Wachhaus got to work making hundreds of plaster heart pins.
All students grades kindergarten through 5th grade used their creativity to produce one-of-a-kind heart pins that will be sold for $2 each to benefit the American Red Cross’s efforts in Haiti.
Boulevard students will have the satisfaction of knowing that their art will help make a difference in the lives of families devastated by the earthquake. The school is partnering with Heights Arts, a nonprofit community arts organization that cultivates a strong, diverse, and collaborative arts community.
Director Peggy Spaeth jumped on the idea of helping to promote the program, offering to sell the pins at Heights Arts Gallery and at Whole Foods on Tuesday, Feb. 16. (On that day, Whole Foods is donating 5 percent of net proceeds to Heights Arts.)
“The arts are often used to raise funds for good causes, perhaps because artists are so in touch with life at an emotional level,” Spaeth said. “We are thrilled to support children who want to effect positive change in the world through art.”
Wachhaus is planning an entire unit on the culture and art of Haiti--children will learn more about the country, its people and its art as the school year continues on.
Wachhaus said, “It is important for our students to know that they are part of a bigger picture. I want to teach my students that the simplest of ideas and some imagination can make a big impact on someone’s life.”
Integrating lessons about culture and art are a mainstay at Boulevard Elementary, where artwork lines every hallway. Recently, 3rd graders learned about Chinese culture and art and then produced their own personalized renditions of blue china porcelain plates, made with Styrofoam plates and blue magic markers.
These one-of-a-kind hearts will be sold for a $2 cash donation each through February at the following Cleveland Heights locations:
- Heights Arts Gallery, 2173 Lee Road, 216-371-3457.Open Thursday through Saturday 1:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
- Mac’s Backs, 1820 Coventry Road, 216-321-2665
- Big Fun, 1814 Coventry Road, 216-371-4386
- And all day Tuesday, Feb. 16 at Whole Foods, 13998 Cedar Rd, University Heights, 216-371-5320, on 5% Community Day.
Donations to Have a Heart for Haiti can also be made by mailing a check made out to the American Red Cross, to Boulevard Elementary, attn. Kelley Wachhaus, 1749 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118.
Kara Hamley O'Donnell is the PTA co-president at Boulevard Elementary School.