Sherry Freckleton shaves off teacher Dwayne Laffin's hair at Dr. W.A. MacLeod School on Monday. Laffin volunteered to lose his locks if students at the Riverton school raised $500 for Haitian relief efforts.

Residents of Pictou County continue to find unique ways to raise much-needed funds for Haiti after a devastating earthquake hit the country several weeks ago.
Rachel Vienneau, a Grade 2 student at Dr. W.A. MacLeod School in Riverton, had the idea to hold a pajama day, with students paying $1 each to wear their pjs to school. She had watched TV coverage of the disaster with her parents, and then talked with them about finding a way to help the Haitian people.
After learning about the idea, music teacher Dwayne Laffin challenged students to raise $500, and if they did, he would shave his head. Phys Ed teacher Michael McPherson then raised the bar, telling students he would dye his beard red if they raised $1,000.
On Monday afternoon, the teachers followed through on their promises after students raised a total of $1,089.70.
Principal Kathy MacPhee told students gathered in the multipurpose room to witness the shaving and dyeing, that they’ve done a wonderful thing. “Any one of you has the power in you to help the world,” she said.
Vienneau says she wanted to help the people in Haiti “because it’s really sad they had the earthquake.”
She adds: “I feel great.”
At G.R. Saunders School in Stellarton, Grade 2 students in Patrizia Alecce and Linda Murray’s classes had a popcorn sale, raising $340. Alecce says when the earthquake hit Haiti, students brainstormed ideas of ways to help.
“Every little bit can count, and everyone can make a difference, it doesn’t matter if you’re big or small,” says Alecce.
She says the school has supported many different charities in the past.
“Everyone, young and old, can make a difference. We talk about our community in Grade 2, and what type of citizens they want to become. Part of that is compassion, caring, giving, acceptance and tolerance. When something happens worldwide, it brings awareness. We try to teach and instill those morals at a young age,” says Alecce.
“We have needs within our own community, but we are very fortunate where we live. It opens the children’s eyes to appreciate what we have.”
Students from Thorburn Consolidated School collected $1,200 worth of spare change, which was presented to the Canadian Red Cross. Principal Lily Deyoung says the amount is impressive for a small school of 282 students. “It goes to show how far a little spare change can go to make a difference,” she says. “To generate that much money is a testimony to the generosity of the school and community.”
The idea came from Grade 3 teacher Mary Webber-Cook, and teachers used the coins for math activities. Using their math skills, some of the older students figured out that it would take 165,210,527 pennies lined up in a long row to reach from Thorburn to Port-au-Prince.
Teachers also talked with students about how it made them feel to help. “They hoped people would get medical care and they hoped they would get enough money to buy new homes and food,” says Deyoung.
A.G. Baillie student Sarah Brown asked her friends to bring donations for Haiti to her birthday party instead of presents. The primary student was able to raise $110 for relief efforts. Last week, students at the New Glasgow school also raised more than $600 through a used book sale.
The Pictou County Council of Churches organized a service of prayer, support and solidarity for the people of Haiti, which took place on Jan. 24 at Sharon St. John United Church in Stellarton. The service brought people together in prayer and remembrance of the horrible disaster. A free-will offering was collected at the service, raising about $3,000, which will be donated to ACT (Action by Churches Together) International. ACT is a global alliance of churches and relief agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies.
Pictou United Church held a fundraiser after its morning service on Sunday in which people could buy a slice of birthday cake from one of 12 cakes each representing a different month. A brown bag auction was also held.
Rev. Mary Beth Moriarity says the event was a lot of fun, and was planned to involve members of the congregation of all ages. “We wanted something the children could be a part of, and see they can make a difference and be part of making a difference.”
“It’s important for us to know that the world is bigger than us, and what happens to other parts of our world has an impact on us,” she says.
“As people of faith, it’s the call of our faith to bring about justice, show love and make a difference.”
The event raised $1,100, and together with other donations, the church will donate about $2,100 to the emergency appeal of the United Church of Canada.
Two Sundays ago, the church also had a service of prayer and hope for Haiti. “God has no hands but our own,” says Moriarity. “With prayer we can find hope in the midst of the sorrow and suffering, but we also need to do something in terms of action.”
A benefit concert held Jan. 30 at Glasgow Square involving musical acts including Homegrown, Albert Dunnewold, The Fuzz Petals, Caustic and Autumn’s Reach, brought in $5,000 Students in the carpentry and cabinetry program at NSCC made and donated items for a silent auction held in conjunction with the concert.
Last week, a voluntary toll on the George Street bridge, organized by New Glasgow town council members and supported by the Pictou County Weeks Jr. A Crushers and Weeks Major Midgets, raised about $11,000.
Proceeds from the 50/50 draw during Friday night’s game at the 26th annual Scotsburn Bantam AAA Memorial Tournament held at John Brother MacDonald Stadium were donated to the cause as well. Organizer Alyson Wheadon says $375 was donated.
New Glasgow Junior High teacher Scott Hughes is planning to shave off his moustache on Wednesday if students raise $1,000.
Northumberland Regional High School held an event last week in which pies were thrown in the faces of teachers and fellow students to raise funds for Haiti, collecting $454.