VTT Students Helps Haiti

Last month, students from Vancouver Talmud Torah School were moved by the scenes and stories of devastation in Haiti, and they found a way to help. Together, the students raised over $560 for Haiti, which they donated to Jewish Federation’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund.

Spear-headed by a group of grade six girls, students approached the administration a few days after the earthquake. Over the next week, they worked closely with Janice St. Helene, vice principal, to come up with a plan of action.

Providing accessible information to students in all grades was a priority. The students created a display board that was exhibited in the front hall of the school, and which included newspaper clippings and images of Israel’s groundbreaking hospital, whose neonatal unit was supported with Federation funds. The students’ efforts were also highlighted in the Hadashot, the school’s newsletter.

Asked how the students chose Jewish Federation, Janice St. Helene replied, “we made information available as to where funds were being directed, and the students naturally chose Federation”.

Funds raised in Vancouver are being directed to the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), our long-standing partner in the rescue and relief field. JDC is the largest international Jewish humanitarian assistance organization in the world, and has been providing effective, non-sectarian assistance to both Jews and non-Jews worldwide for 95 years, and in more than 60 countries.

Our community has contributed over $77,000 to Jewish Federation’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, and qualified donations will be matched by the federal government. The Jewish Federation movement across North America raised more than $5.5 million, to provide immediate and long-term help to the battered island nation.

For Jewish Federation’s Earthquake Relief Fund report please click here.

Kol Hakavod VTT!