Teens raise money for Haiti relief

PERRYVILLE, Kentucky—Last summer, two teenaged boys decided they wanted more than a spiritual high from camp.

“I went to Kanakuk this summer and the theme was ‘Get a Dream,’ so me and my friend Nathan realized that we were tired of being lazy,” said Drew Henderson, 16. “We’d go to camp every year, and our spiritual high would fizzle out. This year, we wanted to change that and go beyond. So, that was the start of everything.”

Henderson and Nathan Crow, 15, began their efforts by shipping Christmas bags to children in Haiti in October 2009. After the earthquake hit Haiti in January, they learned the school the children attended had been destroyed completely.

Henderson and Crow contacted Buckner International and decided to collect $5,000 to ship a container full of aid to Haiti. Then, they began visiting churches to share a video they put together, talk about the need and collect funds.

They also made shirts that they purchased for $2 and sold for $12 to raise money.

“We called a bunch of churches, and most of them said no, but one of them called me back. So, we went to Perryville Baptist, and they raised $2,200,” Henderson said. “I felt God’s presence there, because we are just teens visiting a little country church and what are the odds of that?”

So far, Henderson and Crow have raised $4,800. Henderson added his girlfriend teaches dance lessons, and she plans to hold a benefit recital to help collect more funds.

To learn more about the ways to help with continuing Haiti Relief efforts, visit www.buckner.org/HaitiRelief or call (214) 328-7463.