In response to President George W.

Tuesday, October 30, 2001

In response to President George W. Bush’s call for relief to the children of Afghanistan, Halverson Elementary School in Albert Lea has launched a fundraiser with a goal of $2,000.

&uot;The president asked us to help, so we’re going to give it a try,&uot; said principal Del Stein.

In a speech to the nation on Oct. 11, Bush announced the formation of a special relief fund through the Red Cross to provide food and medical help to Afghan children. He asked every child in the nation to give one dollar to the cause.

&uot;Their country has been through a great deal of war and suffering. Many children there are starving and are severely malnourished,&uot; Bush said in his address.

To kick off the fundraiser at Halverson, Dale and Delphine Drommerhausen of Drommer’s Advertising donated 1,000 American flag antenna reflectors to give in exchange for each donation of $2 or more to the fund.

&uot;It’s a public service that we as a school can perform,&uot; Stein said. &uot;It’s good for the students to feel they are making a difference of some kind.&uot;

To donate to America’s Fund for Afghan Children, call Halverson School at 379-4900.

Some facts about children in Afghanistan

n One in four Afghan children will not live to age 5.

n Afghanistan ranks number one worldwide in maternal mortality.

n One in three Afghan children is an orphan.

n Almost half of Afghan children suffer from chronic malnutrition.

n Millions of Afghan children face the threat of starvation.