Students raise almost $1,700 for Ryan's Well Foundation

Students at Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School more than doubled their fundraising target through the 2012/2013 School Challenge in support of the Ryan's Well Foundation.

Students banded together to raise $1,689 for the campaign. Their goal had been set at $750.

Since October, the Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School Grade 3 students from teacher Eva Scola's class, and the Grade 3/4 students from teacher Shanna Whalen's class have been learning about the water crisis in Ghana, Africa.

The students were involved in the School Challenge, which involves raising awareness, and money, to build a well and latrines in Ghana.

The students came together to engage in discussions, and to create a plan that would make others in the school aware of Ryan's Well, and the lack of clean water in Africa.

Through pledges from families, the collection of coins in class piggy banks, and the school's Wacky Hair for Water Day — Bringing in small change to make BIG Change in Africa.

“We are extremely proud of our students,” said Shanna Whalen. “They demonstrated a genuine concern for people they don't even know.

"They were able to get their message across to their peers, through their great Christian leadership. They wanted to make a difference, and they definitely did.”