The students, members of Coach William Cloud’s football team, wore their jersey tops and encouraged drivers, stopping at the intersection, to donate. In all, the players brought in $940.

“This was a good opportunity for our team to support something important,” said Cloud.

The kids collected from noon until 4:30 p.m., holding signs that read, “Help us, help Haiti” and holding collection jars. Their efforts on the cold afternoon did not go unappreciated either as the neighboring Little Caesar’s Pizza store donated 24 pizzas to the students to enjoy during a short break.

“Coach Cloud informed us of their efforts and we believe in supporting the community,” said Michael Obi, owner of the Little Caesars franchise. “It takes a high level of maturity to be out there in the cold and we felt these pizzas would help encourage the boys.”

Cloud said being from East Cleveland, he has learned the importance of raising funds and it serves as his inspiration to put the collection together. He also credits the parents of one of his football players, Tim and Rhonda Lowe, for contributing to the efforts.

“Our program needs this kind of support and we may do something like this in the future, but now the time was right to help those in Haiti,” said Cloud.

The funds collected will be donated through a non-profit organization already affiliated with the Board of Education.

(Courtesy of Andy Attina at the Sun Messenger)