February was a month full of heart at Heritage Christian Academy on the campus of CrossPointe Church in Bothell. Every year, there is a fund-raising project that is presented at the school that encourages students and families to tangibly reach out to an international need that our dollars can impact to  make a difference.

This year’s project tugged at our heartstrings in a special way. A World Concern video shown at a weekly chapel service introduced us to children in four affected countries who suffer with intestinal parasites, which, if treated with a simple 44-Cent Cure series of tablets, can cure the child of parasites. The parasites are contracted through unsanitary water sources, so additional funds are being used to build wells and sanitation stations in some of the needy areas, as well.

Our school said, “We can do this.” CrossPointe Church was also on board.  And the children started bringing in coins and bills that grew all month in a large jar. Each classroom kept track of their growing funds, many children bringing from their own allowance and savings accounts. The junior-high students carefully counted and rolled the pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, and tallied the dollars to a final total of $3,872, which will help 8,800 children.

In times like these, when we complain about rising gas and food prices, it’s important to remember and put into perspective, the relative human concerns worldwide, knowing that others are struggling for survival. And we can help. We are glad we did. Our school made a difference. If you would like to help, go to the World Concern Web site and see for yourself.

Carolyn Howson is a Heritage Christian Academy third-grade teacher.