"Lots of people were losing their homes," said Max, a second-grader at Graystone Elementary School. "I thought I should help."

Max organized a Jan. 11 bake sale at Graystone with the intention of sending the proceeds to UNICEF's tsunami-relief effort. Students who made a donation in any amount could grab a baked good prepared by one of Max's classmates—with help from their parents—and a cup of hot apple cider made by his teacher, Pat Fleischer. By the end of the day's second recess, Max and his classmates had raised $680 for UNICEF.

Each student in Fleischer's class baked a dozen cookies, brownies or cupcakes for the sale. The event organizer had specific ideas about the quality of the baked goods he wanted to sell.

"Max told everyone he wanted them to look nice," Fleischer said. "He didn't want cracked cookies or burnt brownies."

To ensure there would be enough snacks to go around, Max and his classmates didn't sample their own wares, despite the fact that they'd already donated $317 themselves.

According to Fleischer, Max and his committee were willing to take on extra homework to make the event a success. His classmate, Allie Foreman, wrote a letter to parents asking them to contribute baked goods. After Max wrote an announcement about the bake sale for the school newsletter, another student typed it up for him. And every student in Fleischer's class made at least one poster promoting the sale then hung it somewhere on campus.

"They were very invested," said the teacher.

"They came to me with a written plan," said Graystone Principal Dave Beymer. "The kids really pulled it together. Max was the spark."

Fleischer said it was Max's energy that compelled her to make the bake sale a class project. "Going to the parents [for donations] would have been easier," she added. "What was important was that Max had an idea, and I wanted to help him see it through."

Guadalupe Elementary School Principal Marty Lux agreed that it's important for students to have a sense of ownership in any relief effort they undertake. Guadalupe's student council voted to donate the profits from January's after-school ice cream sales to the Red Cross and UNICEF.

"It's important for kids to learn that we have to reach out and help others," Lux said.

Student council officers at Williams Elementary School are working on their own relief effort. Williams' fundraiser should be scheduled early next month.

Branham shows support

A couple of different student groups at Branham High School took the initiative in helping tsunami relief efforts. Branham's Helping the Homeless Club collected money last week by patrolling the lunch line and asking its peers to donate their change.

Branham's leadership class opted to donate a portion of the proceeds from its upcoming PROMinate fashion show to tsunami relief. The Feb. 3 show, which will feature seniors modeling gowns and tuxedos, also benefits Branham's junior-senior prom and senior grad night.

Senior Megan Wall said she and the other students on the fashion show committee unanimously agreed that a portion of the proceeds should go to tsunami victims.

"We always try to include community service in our activities," Wall added.

The PROMinate fashion show is set for Thursday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. in Branham's cafeteria. The high school is located at 1570 Branham Lane.