Third grade class at Harry Hoag Elementary raises money for the rainforest

A recent presentation in the gymnasium featuring animals from the rainforest gave Patricia Sweet’s third grade class at Harry Hoag Elementary School an idea: to raise money for trees in the rainforest.

In the month of December, the class filled a change jar with $10 and sent it to the Nature Conservancy for its Change for the Rainforest initiative. One dollar means the organization can plant one tree in Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest. According to the organization, one tree can provide a home for literally thousands of plants and animals. The organization’s goal is to plant one billion trees by 2015.

“My class is very philanthropic. The assembly gave them the idea that they could help,” Mrs. Sweet said. “They really want to give back.”

Mrs. Sweet said her 17 students are currently reading about a whale and now want to raise $25 for the Pacific Whale Foundation’s Adopt a Whale/Dolphin/Turtle program. The money goes toward protecting the animals, establishing marine sanctuaries, keeping debris out of the ocean, and preventing collisions with boats.

“All of this is good for the kids because it’s good for them to understand the value of money too,” Mrs. Sweet said. “I’ve never had a class that has done this type of thing. This isn’t something I spurred on them. They did it all their own.”