A lifeline for those in need

Lauren Vane

Though thousands of miles away from the physical impact of the

tsunami disaster in South Asia, elementary school children in

Huntington Beach have decided to do everything they can to reach out

to some of the youngest victims of the tragedy.

Fourth- and fifth-grade student council members at Harbour View

School have started the Tsunami Lifeline Campaign, a project they

hope will help their school raise money for children and their

families who are tsunami victims.

“I just thought of helping them,” said Geoffrey Lunsk, 10.

Harbour View Principal Roni Ellis called a meeting of her student

council when she first heard about the tsunami. When tragedy occurs,

Ellis said, it is important for everyone, children especially, to

begin the healing process by taking action.

“I think it’s tremendous help; it gives us a sense of healing,”

Ellis said.

On Tuesday, the first day of fundraising, the members of the

student council had no shortage of ideas of how they were going to

raise money. Austin Baker, 10, said he would donate his allowance

money, and Kimi Nelson, 9, said she would spread the word about the

campaign around her neighborhood. Daniel Pinkus, 10, said he would

ask his parents to donate.

All the money raised by the students at Harbour View will go to

the Save the Children Tsunami Relief Fund. Ellis said she reviewed

many charitable organizations, and the children picked Save the

Children, because they wanted to help victims their own age deal with

the tragedy.

“We want them to know that we care, and we want to help,” Austin

said.

Most students said they found out about the disaster from their

parents or saw it on the news and in the newspaper.

“The first time I heard about it, I felt bad for all the kids who

lost their families,” Madison Diskant, 10, said.

“People who are doing good things for people are losing their

lives,” Daniel said.

For now, the school plans to fundraise through Jan. 14 but may

extend the date if the demand increases. A letter went out to parents

on Tuesday, explaining the TLC project and asking them to donate.

For the tsunami victims, the students at Harbour View had a

message of hope: “Remember that there are people willing to help you

and care for you when you’re in need,” Austin said.