The power of giving: Donations multiply at Stanwich School

In math class at Stanwich School, fifth-graders had been studying, "the power of 10," and turned the concept into raising funds to help victims of the recent tsunami in Japan. They asked fellow students to bring in donations in the denomination of 10 (10 cents, $1, $10, etc.) to purchase a shelter box. The box, which costs $1,000, will be distributed on behalf of Stanwich to disaster-stricken families to assist in their living conditions. Each shelter box provides relief for a family of up to 10 people.

Also included is a range of survival equipment.

"The students realized that when you bring a number to the power of 10, your original number increases 10-fold. They are bringing this concept to helping Japan," said Meaghan Mallin, head of the school's Intermediate House. "If you ask one student to help, you get one volunteer. If you ask several students to help, your original number multiplies, and the result is a student force that can have great impact."