In addition to the many Haitian relief campaigns Selma organizations have held, Clark Elementary School has now also done its part to contribute by holding a Hats for Haiti event on Friday.

Students were allowed to wear a hat, whether silly or a normal baseball cap, if they donated $1 to the school-wide fundraiser.

“This was our creative way to bring help the relief effort,” said Principal Aubrey Larkin.

Students and teachers raised $322.50 for Haitian relief.

“They have responded well, and they’ve been very sympathetic,” said first grade teacher Alisha Cleveland. “Even though we are in first grade, we can still contribute to the cause.”

Students asked questions about what happened in Haiti and were concerned about helping the people there.

All 19 of her students donated $1 to wear a hat. Cleveland rounded off her class donation with a dollar of her own, totaling $20 from her class.

For the students who forgot a hat to wear on Friday, Cleveland made paper hats with a picture of a building in Haiti pre- and post-earthquake.

“I wanted to show then the aftermath without showing too much,” Cleveland said. Janiya Towns wore one of Cleveland’s homemade hats.

“My teacher made my hat for me because I left my other hat at home,” Towns said.

She and her classmates said they participated in the event because it is fun, but also because it is helping people.

Trajaan Bowers wore a hat his sister made for his last birthday, and is glad that he can assist those in Haiti.

“Today has been really fun and helpful,” Bowers said.