Kīhei Elementary Raises Over $1,400 for Rotary Polio Drive

Kīhei Student Council members display the fundraising results of the first community service project, “Pennies for Polio.” (L–R) Ginger Hill (4th), Isabella Romero (5th), Hunter Davis (4th), Ava Arai (4th), Jon Calibuso (5th) and Cliana Yago (4th). Courtesy photo.

Kīhei Elementary’s student council partnered with the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset for Pennies for Polio, raising $1,460 in a school-wide effort to support Rotary International’s “End Polio Now” campaign.

Led by Kīhei Elementary staff members Alaina Valite, Michelle Bonilla and Joanne Laird, 38 representatives from 19 third, fourth and fifth grade classes made 60 posters and provided collection jars for each classroom.

The jars were gathered at the end of October and six classes that collected over $100 in contributions were treated to juice and granola bars at morning recess.

The student council will keep one-quarter of the collected funds for future projects and the remaining funds will be sent to RI’s campaign, which will then be matched three to one by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The project taught students awareness about the value of community service and inspired them to hold future drives.

“The students embraced this project and experienced first-hand the meaning of the Rotary International motto, ‘Service Above Self,’” said Student Council Adviser Joanne Laird. “They are already planning for a school-wide food drive in November for the Maui Food Bank.”