Supporting Hurricane Relief Efforts: Our Kids Can Help, Too! Here's How! by Ann Marie G. Halstead

Like citizens across the U.S., my heart goes out to everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. When Hurricane Harvey was wreaking havoc on Texas, I was discussing the hurricane and its effects with my sons. The boys were talking about how they wanted to do something to help. They came up with an idea: have a lemonade stand and donate the profits to hurricane relief efforts. I couldn’t have been prouder. The boys held their lemonade stand on a Sunday afternoon. They raised $40. I asked them to put into words why they felt moved to do something for strangers so far away. Here are their responses:

• Youngest son, age 7: “People need money to buy supplies. We should help them. It’s nice to help others.”
• Oldest son, age 11: “I’ve been watching the news and YouTube. I see how bad it is, how it can destroy houses and take away pets and family members. I just want to help give back everything people lost.”

We’ve decided to donate the money they raised to the Humble ISD Education Foundation. “The Humble ISD Foundation will work with the school district in meeting school-related needs as a result of Hurricane Harvey such as school supplies for students whose homes were flooded and replacing school items damaged in the flooding such as books and technology," according to the State College Area District's website. 

We should never underestimate our kids and we should include them whenever we can, because they have so much to offer.

Get more information about the Humble Independent School District, the Help Humble Campaign or make a donation. This video is longer than 30 seconds, but we think it's worth it.