We are all deeply concerned by the situation in Haiti, and many members of our community have asked how and what our St. Margaret’s Episcopal School community will do to support the vast and increasing needs of the Haitian people in this terrible tragedy.

In the urgency of the situation and massive failure of infrastructure, we’ve been advised that the most significant contribution to make at this time is monetary. As a result, our students and faculty are developing a fundraising effort to be donated to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund. We know there are many worthwhile charities that are supporting the victims of the earthquake. St. Margaret’s has decided to dedicate our funds to support the expansive, coordinated outreach underway by the ERD—a well-managed, reliable global relief organization of the Episcopal Church.

Created and led by students and faculty we are launching the St. Margaret’s Lemon Aid effort, based on the concept of community lemonade stands. We are organizing “Lemon Aid” stands throughout campus and at school events through February. We will be asking for volunteer support from students, faculty, staff and parents to make items to sell as well as to man the stands. Additionally, we will publish ways you and your family can organize and run your own fundraising efforts within your neighborhoods and communities—we know you will have great ideas as well for your own “stands.”

Lemon-Aid is a wonderful opportunity for us to come together as a community in support of our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

See more information below on specific activities underway to support Lemon-Aid, including the Talent Show Concert on March 13, 3-7 p.m.. If you have questions or suggestions, please direct them to Mrs. Lora Allison, All-school Community Service Coordinator, lora.allison@smes.org. For more information about the ERD, please visit: www.er-d.org.

Lemon-Aid Efforts Around Campus and For You at Home

On Campus Lemon-Aid Stands/Events–We will be holding on-campus Lemon-Aid sales at various events for the next several weeks. Simply buying a cup of lemonade will show your support of this important cause. A nominal fee will be charged for items, but please feel free to make an extra donation at these stands. Look for these “Stands” to kick off this Friday all over campus!

Friday, Jan. 22 Tartan Games Lemon-Aid Kick Off

Please make a $2 donation at the gate to the following games or bring a gently used pair of shoes as a donation (see Soles4Souls information below).

• Boys Varsity Soccer, 5:30 p.m. Featuring a 1/2 time penalty kick contest with prizes

• Girls Varsity Basketball, 6 p.m., Featuring a half-time, free throw shooting contest with prizes

• Boys Varsity Basketball, 7:30 p.m., Featuring a half-time, three-point shooting contest with prizes

Lemon-Aid Concert—Mark you calendars to join the entire St. Margaret’s community on Saturday, March 13. 4 – 7 p.m. for a school-wide concert that will display the talent and compassion of the St. Margaret’s community. Details about participation (tryouts, rehearsals, etc…) will be distributed by division after Winter Recess, but the goal is to involve students and families from Preschool through Grade 12 (and even alumni) in this evening.

Buy a T-shirt- On February 1 we will be receiving a one-time order of Haiti Relief “Lemon-Aid” t-shirts, designed by Upper School student John Swanson, grade 12. We have purchased 600, in youth and adult sizes. They will be $12, with $5 of every shirt purchased going straight to Episcopal Relief and Development. The shirts will be sold from the Booster Club booth in the foyer of the Pasternack Field House before and after school starting on Tuesday, February 2.

Host your own Lemon-Aid Stand—Make it contagious. Lemon-Aid is based upon the simplicity of a neighborhood lemonade stand, and will hopefully get our students to actively support this cause in their own communities. In the Preschool and Lower School, students will receive information on how to host their own Lemon-Aid stand. In the Middle and Upper Schools we hope that students will take this idea and run with it. Perhaps they will sell brownies to neighbors, or offer to wash cars, or even stow away some of their allowance to donate. Consider taking a to-go cup of coffee rather than stopping for your favorite brew and put that money into one of our Lemon-aid Stands. Signs and posters with the Lemon-Aid logo will be available at each of the divisions for students to pick up and use for publicity. All donations generated from these efforts should be turned in to the Division Secretaries who will deposit it into the account earmarked for Haiti Relief Funds through Episcopal Relief and Development .

Fill out a Lemon- at every Lemon-aid Stand there will be an opportunity to show your support of this effort and for the people of Haiti by signing your name (or the name of a loved one) on a yellow paper lemon. These lemons will be posted together to form a “Lemon Tree” of St. Margaret’s support. At some point in the future, we will find an appropriate time to share this tree with an Episcopal school in Haiti affected by the earthquake.

Corporate Sponsorship-if your company wants to get involved in the Haiti relief efforts but isn’t sure how, consider having them partner with St. Margaret’s to match the total number of dollars that our students and families raise.

Lemon Scented Pencils- Lemon-scented pencils are now available for sale in the library. Suggested donation is $1.00

Soles 4 Souls–Between now and January 28, bring gently worn shoes to the foyer of the Pasternack Field House or to any Sport Chalet location and they will be delivered directly to our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Families are specifically encouraged to bring their donations of shoes to any of the on-campus athletic events this Friday night, January 22. More information can be found at Sports Chalet.