With old phones, kids raise hurricane aid

Fifth graders Cody Moore and Allie Wyland are leading the way in Claymont Elementary School's drive to raise relief funds for Florida hurricane victims. The two each brought in 25 used cell phones.

Kids in the west St. Louis County school are collecting old cell phones. A company in Oklahoma pays cash money for the donated cell phones, even if they don't work.

In turn, the Claymont kids are donating their cell-phone proceeds for Florida hurricane relief. Four separate hurricanes hit Florida last year, causing massive damage.

Every year, Claymont school sponsors a charity event with proceeds going to different causes. Last year's event involved kids paying for the right to wear hats inside the school.

The 2004 Hat Day proceeds went to fight cancer.

Fifth grade teacher Mary Buck spotted an ad in a Southwest Airlines magazine talking about the Pace Butler Corp. in Edmond, Okla. The firm specializes in buying and selling old and used cell phones.

Ms. Buck noted the company promotes the idea of non-profit groups collecting old phones and using proceeds for charitable purposes. That fits right into the Claymont idea of an annual fund-raising drive.

(If your school might be interested in collecting cell phones for charitable purposes, you could check out the Pace Butler website at www.pacebutler.com.)

Just before the holidays, the Claymont kids made their first shipment of about 175 cell phones. The phone collection program will continue to the end of the 2004-2005 school year. They recently got a check for $311 for the hurricane victims.

Patrick Landwehr and Cody Moore

Most of the kids collected one or two old cell phones from home.

But, in the case of Cody Moore and Allie Wyland, they got help from businesses where their parents work.

Eleven-year-old Cody said, "I brought in a big, old box full of 25 cell phones. All the people from my dad's place of work sent in their old phones."

Eleven-year-old Allie said the bulk of her 25 phones came from people at the place where her mother works. However, she said, "Five of the phones were from around the house."

Erin Tully, Karen Zhang and Allie Wyland

Classmate Zach Lathrop only brought in two old phones from home. But, he helped his mother inventory all the collected phones. They then packed the phones for shipment to Pace Butler.

Eleven-year-old Rachel Alizadeh brought in one phone but thinks she can bring in another later. "The other phone is around the house but I have to find it," she said.

The call for cell phone donations went to all Claymont students. But, the 5th graders are coordinating the charity drive.

Rachel Alizadeh and Allison Skrainka

The decision to donate to Florida hurricane relief was a popular one. Many of the kids either had relatives who lived in Florida or knew other kids with Florida connections.

In most cases, the property of relatives or friends didn't sustain hurricane damage.

For instance, Allie Wyland's family owns a home in the Orlando area. "But, it didn't get hit," she said.

Ten-year-old Allison Skrainka said her neighbor had grandparents who lived in Florida. "The grandmother was visiting in St. Louis. The grandfather was in Florida but went to stay with friends when the hurricanes came," she said.

The kids all said they get enjoyment out of working on charity drives.

Zach Lathrop and Sammi Constantin

Ten-year-old Sammi Constantin said, "I like to work with other

people on the drives. It makes me feel better."

Eleven-year-old Karen Zhang said she helps with charity work at her church. During the recent holiday season, her family provided a gift for a homeless family. She said she likes the Humane Society best because "I like to help animals."

Eleven-year-old Erin Tully brought in two cell phones. But, she also helps with charity work at her church.

"I belong to a Joy group at my church. We organize clothing, food and toy drives for the homeless," she said. "It's fun to help people, especially during the holidays," she added.

Eleven-year-old Patrick Landwehr said his church has a Jesse tree during the holidays. On the tree are pieces of paper that list gifts that would go to homeless families. Each church family takes a sheet and fills the gift suggestions.

"I like to get money and help the homeless," he said.