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Amador Run for Relief raises $22K for Haiti
More than 500 students and faculty members raised at least $20 apiece

by Janet Pelletier

They say that profound sorrow brings people together. It happened after 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and now, the earthquake in Haiti. That goodwill has also been translated locally at Amador Valley High School, where students and faculty came together and raised $22,771 that will be donated to the ravaged nation, where most buildings and homes are uninhabitable.

The money was raised during the school's Run for Relief, held Feb. 3.

The idea for the run/walkathon was first started by Granada High School's P.E. department in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, according to Amador P.E. teacher Tony Battilega. At that time, $23,000 was raised and sent to a New Orleans school district. In 2007, Granada again held a Run for Relief to help out the Southern California fire victims, raising $12,000 that was sent to a San Diego school district. And this year, Granada asked Amador to join in a third Run for Relief for Haiti.

Battilega said approximately 1,250 students, 50 staff members and 20 off-campus community members participated in the run/walk, which was held during P.E. classes all day long as well as after school.

A total of 523 students and staff members earned a T-shirt by collecting at least $20 in donations. Out of a total of 3,666 miles ran, two boys ran 26 laps in one session and one girl ran 48 laps in three sessions.

Teacher Elizabeth Stanley's sixth period P.E. class earned a pizza lunch for collecting the most money in a class period with more than $1,700.

Battilega, who himself ran 41 laps (10 miles), said the school wants the money to directly aid the children in Haiti and is still deciding on a charity to support.