State Superintendent Linda McCulloch today announced that Montana school children have raised $112, 440.99 for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

“This Thanksgiving Montanans have something to be very thankful for, our school kids. In September, I began ‘Montana Kids Care’ through the Office of Public Instruction to encourage school children to join in raising money and materials for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Since then we have recorded contributions that conservatively total $112,440.99,” reported Superintendent Linda McCulloch.

“Montana kids deserve a great big thank you for all their hard work. Activities ranged from penny drives to bake sales to school dances to filling a semi-truck trailer with relief supplies,” said Superintendent McCulloch. “I am convinced the $112,440 we know of is a very conservative figure. We literally hear of new projects every day.”

“Corvallis kindergartners brought in their piggy banks. Columbia Falls kids had ‘Loot for Louisiana’ days. Hamilton kids did a 2,330 mile walkathon covering the distance from their hometown to New Orleans. A 1000 homemade suckers raised money for Bonner Schoolis ‘Coins for Katrina’ drive, while Bozeman’s Chief Joseph Middle School students filled a semi tractor trailer with food, clothing, bedding, toys, furniture, and pet food,” pointed out Superintendent McCulloch. “You have to marvel at the ingenuity and sense of fun brought to all these wonderful projects by thousands of Montana kids.”

The Office of Public Instruction has heard from 98 schools and student organizations from across Montana. Schools donated their contributions directly to a wide variety of different relief organizations. More than half the funds went to the American Red Cross and Salvation Army and there were other efforts that sent relief to “adopted” individual schools in Louisiana and Mississippi.

“The school slogan for Hawthorne Elementary in Helena is ‘Strong Minds, Gentle Hearts.’ I think that sums up very nicely the goal of Montana schools. The sense of personal and civic responsibility is alive and well in Montana classrooms. We should all be thankful for that,” concluded Superintendent McCulloch.