LAKELAND, Fla. — On the last day of school 5th grade teacher Rhonda Davis and presented a check in the amount of $13,000 to the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes for their humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti.
An additional $3,085 came in after the check was printed bringing the total to $16,085. The funds were raised by the students at Medulla Elementary along with generous assistance from members of the community including Atlanta Braves baseball player Matt Diaz who more than matched what the students raised.
Ronda Davis, a fifth grade teacher at Medulla organized the fund raising drive. “Originally I was going to challenge our kids to help raise money for the Children’s Malnutrition Center in San Juan, Guatemala where I had visited on a mission trip with the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes,” Davis said. “However, when the earthquake in Haiti happened I realized that we needed to shift our focus and our kids really responded.”
“This was an excellent activity. It helped students make a connection to things that are happening in other parts of the world. It also taught our kids about doing good things for those that are less fortunate,” said Jill Cheatham, principal at Medulla Elementary.
“Incredible!” said Dr. Jerry Haag, president of the Children’s Homes, as he received the check from the students. “Students, parents, and desire to help others. You are amazing!”
“The media rarely report about the conditions in Haiti anymore, but let me tell you conditions are still extremely difficult. These funds will be used to meet critical and will be put to use immediately,” Haag said.
Dr. Haag also publicly thanked Matt Diaz and his wife for their generous matching gift that more than doubled what the students raised.
Diaz is currently in the midst of the Major League Baseball season with the Atlanta Braves and was not able to attend the check presentation to the Children’s Homes.
Diaz said that they were excited to be involved in such a special opportunity to help others. “Our family has been so extremely blessed, and this opportunity lines up perfectly for what we feel called to do as a family,” Diaz said.