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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Children from the North Elementary Campus of The Classical Academy in Colorado Springs presented Compassion International (CI), the world’s largest Christian child development and sponsorship organization, with a $4,608.96 check Tuesday during a K-6 school assembly. The funds are to aid in relief efforts in Haiti.

Two weeks ago, a group of sixth graders at the school challenged their peers to raise money for the children of Haiti. Their goal was $3,000.

Using PowerPoint presentations they designed, the sixth graders went from class to class encouraging other students to bring in whatever they could to help those suffering in Haiti.

The students brought in loose change as well as other donations from home and also held a bake sale to raise funds.

Tallying donations on hand-drawn tally sheets, the students tracked the money coming in daily. They decided on which charity to donate the money to after researching a number of organizations for financial integrity and strength.

“Children helping children – what a precious example of compassion from the youngest amongst us,” said Wess Stafford, president and CEO of CI. “How wonderful to see these little ones giving of their time, talents and resources to help other children just like them in Haiti.”

Tim Glenn, advocacy director for Compassion International, USA, received the check on behalf of CI.

"You have changed the lives of a lot of kids in Haiti. On behalf of Compassion International, thank you so much for this check. But more importantly, thank you so much for your hearts, for your willingness to give, for your willingness to serve, and for caring about kids around the world.  It’s going to go a long way," said Glenn, addressing the assembly.

“What you guys did by putting together your money and saving up is really going to help those kids [in Haiti],” added Ron Mast, interim president of TCA. “We’re so, so happy that you guys with your own initiative, on your own accord, decided to get together and to put your money together and give it to Compassion so that they can have compassion on kids that don’t have what they need.” 

Click here to read more stories about the Haiti earthquake and how it directly affected families associated with Compassion International in Colorado Springs.