When the devastating earthquake hit Haiti earlier this year, it didn't take long for the children of Heritage Baptist and Heritage Learning Center to shake their piggy banks free of change to help.  On January 19, we put an empty water cooler jug in the church hall.  To make sure it would stay mobile, we placed it on a small rolling board.  Children from the Wednesday Night Children's Mission class used crayons and pencils to make fliers.  We distributed information to the Learning Center parents and church members through the church bulletin, handouts and the web site. 

Over the weeks, children and adults came in with sacks and cans filled with coins.  Learning Center teachers say that some of the change jars were labled "vacation money."  A few young ones sent coin collection cans to parents' offices.  Folks reached deep into their pockets and dropped change and bills into the jug.  We all watched with awe as the jug filled to the top, wondering, "how much money could that be?"

After the final collection day (February 28) HBC Facilities Manager Clair Morehead, assisted by Education Director Everett Golihew, rolled the very full and very heavy jug into the church office and (out of pure curiousity) onto a scale.  Tipping in at a whopping 135 pounds, the coin jug then had to be cut open at the top to get the money out.  All the coins were transferred into empty plastic coffee cans so they could be easily carried.  After filling 8 cans, Everett and Rev. Ralph Manuel helped load the coins for transport to Sandy Spring Bank on Jennifer Road.  HBC member Mike Irwin works for Sandy Spring and graciously offered to have the coins counted there.

So, how long does it take to count 135 pounds of coins?  About 6 hours, according to the very helpful tellers at Sandy Spring.  At one point, the coin machine got too hot and had to be shut down for a cooling off time.  When all was tallied, the Change for Haiti Coin Drive brought in $1,250.  This money will go to the Baptist World Aid's relief work in Haiti.  One hundred percent of the money goes to relief efforts, with no deductions for administrative costs. 

Thanks to everyone who participated in this coin drive.  Special thanks to the children and parents of Heritage Baptist and Heritage Learning Center, Everett Golihew, Clair Morehead, Mike Irwin, Edie Stucker, Sally Morehead, and Sandy Spring Bank- Jennifer Road Branch. 

For more photos, see the picture gallery.