Schools across Shelby County are lending a helping hand to the Haitian earthquake victims. The following is a listing of some of the past and ongoing efforts at our local Shelby County School:

Inverness Elementary held a “Change for Haiti” money drive that will be donated to the American Red Cross.

Thompson Intermediate School held a “Change for Haiti” fundraising campaign, along with a “Hats for Haiti” campaign last week where the students were permitted to wear a hat in exchange for making a donation. The students raised $1,424 with both events.

Helena Elementary students are also bringing in money for their “Helena Helps Haiti” project. The students will be making a paper chain to represent the total amount of their donation. For every dollar donated per class, a link will be added to a paper chain displayed outside each classroom. The school is also doing a Hats for Haiti event.

Oak Mountain Intermediate School’s student council is collecting bottled water that will be donated to the American Red Cross.

Creek View Elementary is holding a money drive for the next two weeks.

Valley Elementary School is collecting coloring books and crayons, as well has hygiene supplies to send to the children of Haiti.

Chelsea Intermediate School held a shoe drive and collected over 68 garbage bags full of shoes that will be donated to the victims through the Soles4Souls program.

Valley Intermediate School also did a “Hats for Haiti” day where they raised $525 for the earthquake relief. They will also have a “Dollars to Doze” event this week where students will be permitted to wear pajamas in exchange for their donation.

Helena Middle School will hold their “Hats for Haiti” day on January 29. Students will be allowed to wear hats that day for a donation to the relief efforts.

Elvin Hill Elementary students are donating money this week in exchange for being able to wear a hat or crazy socks. All money raised will benefit the American Red Cross.

The Torch Club of Montevallo Middle School is sponsoring “Pajama Day for Haiti”. Students are being asked to make donation of least $1.00 to the Haiti Relielf Fund in order to wear pajama pants on February 4. The Torch Club is also selling ribbons in red and blue, the colors of the Haitian flag. The monies generated from these two events will be given to the American Red Cross.

Mt Laurel Elementary students are raising funds to help an orphanage in Ebeneezer, Haiti to supply food and medical supplies to the needy. This orphanage was not badly damaged and is being used as a distribution site for supplies.

The Vincent High School Senior Beta Club and the RoadScholars are collecting items for health kits to be sent to Haiti. The items needed include hand towels, wash cloths, combs (large and sturdy), fingernail clippers, bath-size bars of soap (3 oz. and up), toothbrushes (adult single brushes only in original wrapper), large tubes of toothpaste, and adhesive bandages (Band-Aids). Each kit will be packed in a gallon-size Ziploc bag for shipping and easy distribution. Students will be collecting these items for the next two weeks. They hope to have the first kits ready for shipment by Tuesday, February 9. In addition to the kits, members of First Priority are also working hard to help raise much needed funds. They are collecting monetary to support the missionaries and orphanages in Haiti. The funds will be sent through the Church of God missions.

Thompson High Schools Student Government Association and Key Club are sponsoring a faculty basketball game on Friday, January 29 at 2:30 p.m. with the goal of raising at least $2,000 to benefit the Haitian relief efforts.

The male teachers at Calera High School have agreed to let the students have a good laugh at their expense in exchange for raising money to help the victims of the earthquake. The Art Club has placed jars in the cafeteria with the names of all the male teachers in the school. The male teacher that raises the most money for the relief in Haiti has agreed to come to school dressed as a woman. If the school reaches the goal of $1,500 the entire male faculty will dress as women.

Shelby County High School hosted the band Sirock and raised over $400.

Vincent Elementary students are donating money and making hearts to represent their donation through the Hearts for Haiti campaign.