EDINBORO, Pa. – An Edinboro University student was so moved in the wake of December's Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy that he set out to make a positive difference at the school. With the support of Early Childhood and Special Education Department Chair Mary Jo Melvin, education major Mike Costa established a fund drive to raise $2,600 for the Newtown, Connecticut school – $100 for each of the 20 students and six staff members killed last December 14 according to a school news release.
Mary Joe Melvin says Costa came up with the idea to sell green wristbands with white lettering, stamped with the school's initials on one side and "26 Angels" on the other – for $5 each. He's well on his way toward reaching the $2,600 goal, according to the meter posted in the Miller Hall's main corridor. Green and white are Sandy Hook Elementary School colors.
"When I first heard the heartbreaking news, I was devastated … ," Costa said. "I felt like someone had to do something to help a distraught community, so why couldn't it be me? As a future educator, I can relate to the innocence and cheerfulness of young children and how a school setting is meant to be a fun, safe and comfortable place for them."
Costa took his wristband idea to raise money for the school to Dr. Melvin, who supported his plan and encouraged him to pursue the project.
"I'm pleased and proud of Mike and all of our students as they embody what it truly means to be a teacher," Dr. Melvin said.
"I thought if I personalized the wristband to honor the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School, I could donate the proceeds to their school for educational purposes," Costa said. "I knew that there would be many (Edinboro University) faculty members and students who would also be affected by this tragedy and would surely lend a helping hand."
A Sandy Hook memorial poster, along with a meter to monitor the progress of the fundraiser (now at nearly $900), are on display in Miller Hall's main corridor.
"I was very impressed with the initiative taken as well as the empathy shown by Mike, who is one of our majors," Dr. Melvin said. "I am pleased and proud of our students as they embody what it truly means to be a teacher. Being a teacher is so much more than standing in front of a group of students."
Speaking of Costa, Melvin said, "I'm sure that this young man will make a difference, not only through his efforts in this fundraiser, but also through those qualities that will one day make him deserving of the title, ‘teacher.'"
The $5 wristbands are being sold in the Early Childhood and Special Education Department at Miller Hall, 325 Scotland Road, Suite 8, Edinboro, PA 16444.
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