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Brooklawn kids give back to help children in Haiti

The Haitian national flag

The children at Brooklawn are used to people helping them through donations of time, gifts and financial contributions - so when they get the chance to help others, they are more than willing to help.

Such was the case recently when the Brooklawn children donated their hard-earned "Brooklawn Bucks" to purchase items for the children of Haiti.

Each week, the children at Brooklawn earn “Brooklawn Bucks” based on a points system for good behavior and other acts that deserve rewarding. With their Brooklawn Bucks the children can then purchase candy, small toys, etc. in Brooklawn’s “Points Store.”

Recently, after hearing about the young victims of the massive earthquake that hit the small country of Haiti in February, staff asked the Brooklawn children if they’d like to donate some of their Brooklawn Bucks to purchase items for care packages for Haitian children.

Staff opened the Points Store and hosted a Haiti Relief Reward store in place of the usual Points Store. The children turned out en mass and spent their hard earned Brooklawn Bucks and purchased cloth diapers, t-shirts, washcloths, receiving blankets and other baby-related items that will be mailed and delivered to Haiti via the Red Cross.

“We set out with the goal of completing 10 of these care packages, but our kiddos never cease to amaze me. They spent enough of their money to purchase items for 30 care packages,” said Dennis Roach, activities specialist at Brookawn. “To watch many of the boys and girls give up all of the money that they had earned, without hesitation was truly a moving moment.”

That's right, 3 times the amount that staff was hoping for.

“It is a great day when we get to see our children happy simply because they were able to help someone else out,” Roach said.

Fifty-seven children (some from every cottage on campus) willingly participated spending $9,095 Brooklawn Bucks!!!!

This was truly an awesome feat and one that we are very proud of at Brooklawn.