Viewfinder: MANNkind Fundraiser

Big thanks to local parent Kristi Ross, spokeswoman for the MANNkind, a group of student volunteers at Horace Mann Elementary School in Oak Park. 

They recently held a back-to-back bake sale — one in the 900 block of North Kenilworth Avenue; the other outside Sugarcup Trading, 110 N. Marion St. — to aid the American Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. They raised $2,512. Said Ross:

Some children helped bake, others stood behind the tables selling baked goods, while still others marched around holding signs doing the advertising.  And a number of kids stood ready to talk about details of the disaster.  They provided copies of news articles and displayed a map to identify the areas affected.  The local families that came, bought and donated were incredibly supportive. 

MANNkind aims to inspire and teach children to build a better local and global community.  Kids learning and leading Japan relief efforts through participation in a bake sale helps build their beliefs that they too can make a difference, even over 5,000 miles away.

If you'd like to contribute to our weekly Viewfinder photo gallery, e-mail me at casey@patch.com. Thanks!