Rell Visits Keigwin

From the Governor's Office

On February 23, Governor M. Jodi Rell visited the Keigwin Middle School in Middletown to thank students for their fundraising to help relief efforts in Haiti (see attached photo).  The students raised $3,500 through a district-wide campaign called Hearts for Haiti. The school accepted donations of at least $1 to buy a “heart.” The heart, with the donor’s name on it was displayed throughout the school.

In January, Governor M. Jodi Rell and the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) announced a special fund-raising appeal from Connecticut schoolchildren and their parents for Haitian relief efforts that will address the needs of Haitian children.  Funds raised will be targeted to help rebuild schools, provide educational supplies as well as medicine and health care for children.

The Governor’s office worked with CAS to set up a special account through the Bank of America in Connecticut to accept monetary donations, checks, cash and even coins. The bank has agreed to sort and roll the coins at no charge. Checks can be made payable to the “Connecticut Association of Schools” with a notation on the check memo line identifying “Haitian Relief Fund.” Children, their parents and others who want to help this special effort may bring their monetary donation to participating local schools or to a Bank of America branch.

CAS, which represents 1,100 public and private schools,  and the Governor’s office have worked together in the past for similar school-wide appeals, including a 2005 campaign to raise funds for school supplies for children affected by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf states.