Effingham County schools have raised $25,801 for Haiti relief efforts.

The donations were totaled at a principal’s meeting at the Board of Education headquarters last Friday. The almost $26,000 collected far exceeded the original goal of one dollar per student and teacher, which would have been less than half of the total.

“This town never ceases to surprise me,” said school system communication specialist Pam Cox. “Even when the economy is down, giving is high.”
The money will go to the local Rotary clubs to buy and send ShelterBoxes to Haiti. A ShelterBox comes equipped with all the necessities for survivors of natural disasters, such as a 10-man tent, cooking and eating utensils and water purification tools.

School Superintendent and Sunrise Rotary Club President Randy Shearouse said that unlike some charity organizations, 92 percent of the proceeds raised for ShelterBox go directly to the people in need.