Westlake fourth-grader raises $400 for Haiti

Westlake Christian Academy fourth grader Katie DeReus felt called to action when she heard about the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti. When Katie heard of the desperate needs of the Port-au-Prince residents she began to configure a plan for help. She had previously watched a television program about a boy who was able to raise a substantial sum of money for his school.

Katie told her mom, "I can do that. I'm going to have a bake sale at Westlake to help the people."

Katie e-mailed all the parents of her fourth-grade classmates asking if they would be willing to help bake for the sale. Zeal for the fundraiser spread quickly, and soon all the students in Katie's class brought in cookies, brownies and posters for the sale.

On Jan. 20 and 21, Katie and the fourth-grade class sold their homemade treats during the three lunch periods at the school. The bake sale was a great success, earning approximately $400. The money was donated the next day to World Vision, a Christian organization directly providing aide to Haiti.

"Katie came up with the idea on her own and recruited her class to help," her mother, Westlake Christian Academy Kindergarten teacher Laura DeReus, said. "I am so humbled by her desire to help those in need."