MANASSAS, VA (March 25, 2011) – “I started my Red Cross journey when I was in third grade,” said Karen Wayne, Community Executive of the Prince William and Loudoun County offices of the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region. Each year the Education Committee of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce organizes a National Young Readers Day in which various community organizations and companies sponsor a school. This year the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region sponsored Yorkshire Elementary School, a Title I school in Manassas, from which many of the students live below the poverty line. As part of Young Readers Day, Karen read to a very motivated group of third graders. Before reading she introduced herself and spoke about how she first became acquainted with the Red Cross when she was their age. She talked about how when she was in third grade she collected pennies on behalf of the Red Cross, and in return received a little pin that she has to this day. 

Karen’s story resonated for the kids. Immediately they started asking their teacher if they could start collecting pennies for the Red Cross. Since March is Red Cross month, this seemed like the perfect occasion for such an initiative.

When asked why they wanted to give, one child said, “I want to give because that poor man lost his house to a fire.” Another said, “To help people have something we have, like food and a place to live.” Karen talked to the children about how the Red Cross responds to disasters all around the world. Several of the children have relatives abroad, so they became very engaged when Karen spoke about international relief efforts. Karen also spoke about how the Red Cross helps people prepare for disasters, and encouraged the children to talk to their parents about creating a family disaster response plan. 

On March 18, 2011, the class presented the collection jar to the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region. Katina Douglas, their teacher, said, “The kids were so excited that they were bringing in pennies every day.” They collected almost $100. As a token of appreciation, Karen gave each child a “hero pin,” which is a little pin with a picture of a superhero with the Red Cross logo across his chest. The children radiated with big smiles as they were handed their pins. Karen said to them, “Thanks to your generosity, we can help people survive.”

In Karen’s office now sits a large note the children wrote that reads: “Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to help make a difference. We hope our pennies can help.”

Contact: Kim Lee Alvarado

Communication Coordinator

American Red Cross in the National Capital Region

(703) 584-8417 (office)

(703) 932-8120 (cell)

AlvaradoK@redcrossnca.org