PETERBOROUGH — Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders and Principal Timothy Conway are pleased to announce that South Meadow School sixth-graders recently raised money to support those in need in Ukraine, as Russia’s invasion of the country continues.
The $1,000 raised through students’ “Change for the Ukraine” fundraiser will be donated to the United Nations Children’s Foundation (UNICEF) for Ukrainian refugee relief.
The sixth-graders were inspired to initiate the communitywide fundraiser after staff members shared a letter written by a local family with ties to Ukraine about the invasion. Students organized the fundraiser with sixth-grade teachers Colleen Brophy and Lori Groleau.
The sixth-graders exceeded their fundraising goal of $662 with the help of donations from students, staff, district employees and local families.
Students were inspired to set their fundraising goal by the town of Stratford, New Hampshire, which donated one dollar for each of its 662 residents.
“It is heartwarming to see our community come together to support this great cause,” Superintendent Rizzo Saunders said. “The tragedy in Ukraine has affected people of all ages, and it’s inspiring to see our students take the initiative to find a way to support their Ukrainian peers in their time of need.”
South Meadow students wish to challenge other middle schools in the state to raise $1,000 or more for Ukrainian refugee relief efforts.
“We are very proud of our Grade 6 students and teachers for organizing this fundraiser and rallying others around it,” Principal Conway said. “We all hope that this will lead to similar efforts in communities around New Hampshire so that we can make as much an impact as possible in supporting the people of Ukraine.”
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