Brookside raises funds for UNICEF

TREATS FROM THE SWEET-Students from Brookside Elementary School in Oak Park celebrate their success raising more than $1,400 for UNICEF in the annual nationwide Halloween drive for the United Nation's Children's Fund. Pictured are the student council members who led the fundraiser. Brookside Elementary School in Oak Park reported its best ever Halloween fundraiser on behalf of UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund.

Student trick-or-treaters filled orange boxes with donations and raised more than $1,400, the most since Brookside started the fundraiser. Mary Jane Weaver, a teacher and advisor, along with teacher Paula Stromquist and the Brookside's Student Council, helped oversee the campaign.

It took time to count the money because most of it was in change, said Weaver, who credited parents for their support.

"It shows you the values of the families at this school," Weaver said.

Coraal Dadon, 9, forgot to bring her UNICEF box on Halloween, but that didn't keep the fourth grade student council member from participating in the drive. Coraal contributed $3 from her own piggy bank.

Greg Kalbfeld and Gabriel Zelico, both 10 years old, donated their own money also.

"We donated our own money so we could help other kids in need instead of thinking of ourselves," Kalbfeld said.

Trey Stillo filled his UNICEF box halfway, but the box broke while he was trick-or-treating. The fifth-grader brought the money to school in a bag instead.

"We just wanted to help kids that don't have stuff like we do," said Nicole Tedjasaputra, 9.

The 18member student council promoted the drive to fellow students through posters, skits and reminders. Children from all grades participated.

A cashier's check was sent to UNICEF.

The council hung a banner just before Thanksgiving, thanking Brookside students for their efforts on behalf of UNICEF.

"This group worked so hard," Weaver said. "Families at this school are so supportive."