Shafer Students Raise $1,800 for Oklahoma Tornado Victims

Students at Shafer Elementary School always rise to the challenge during a time of disasters.

After raising $3,228 to help victims of Hurricane Sandy last year, third graders this year gathered for a new cause: To help the tornado victims of an Oklahoma school.

Principal William Mudlock said the students raised more than $1,800 over three days on May 28-30 for those who suffered at Moore Elementary School in Oklahoma.

The money was donated to the local American Red Cross Chapter on Thursday.

"The kids understand that they are doing a great thing," Mudlock said. "That this is bigger than Nazareth."

Mudlock said the students had a pajama day, a Nazareth school colors day and a craxy sock day to help generate the funds. He said many of the school's 62 staff members also participated for the cause.

There's a School Spirit Committee in the third grade level where these causes come together and with the Oklahoma tornado effort, committee president Chase Levey and vice president Andrew Bohl along with committee advisor Pam Lutte led the charge.

Mudlock sent out a letter to parents on May 23 alerting them about the Oklahoma tragedy and how it would be a rallying cause for the school.

"At Shafer Elementary, we emphasize with our students that we are active members of a larger community that extends well beyond the town of Nazareth," Mudlock stated in the letter.

"As a school entity, its is important that we recognize communities that are in need and extend our humanitarian efforts," he said.

The school helps local causes as well, Mudlock said.

It collects three times a year to help the Nazareth Food Bank, collects books to donate to less fortunate families and tries to raise funds for students with ailments and medical issues.

"It's amazing," the principal said. "The lesson learned is what's most important each day."