WHEREAS, on September 2, 2005, the Maryland State Department of Education initiated the MARYLAND KIDS CARE: Collecting Pennies (and more) for the Victims of Hurricane Katrina to provide students with the opportunity to give to others in need; and
 
WHEREAS, Maryland’s schoolchildren sold lemonade and bracelets, hosted benefit concerts, collected money, and secured matching donations from local business partners; and
 
WHEREAS, the Maryland Association of Student Councils organized the collection of more than 1,000 supply-filled backpacks; and
 
WHEREAS, the Maryland students’ donations were sent to the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, local families, and countless other charities and organizations; and
 
WHEREAS, all Maryland public schools were invited to voluntarily report their fundraising efforts to the Maryland State Department of Education; and
 
WHEREAS, in just one month of fundraising, Maryland’s schoolchildren raised over $1.4 million to benefit Alabama’s schoolchildren affected by Hurricane Katrina:
 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education does hereby express its immeasurable gratitude to the schoolchildren in the great State of Maryland, State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick, the Maryland State Department of Education, and to all the citizens of Maryland who generously donated to MARYLAND KIDS CARE.
 
Done this 8th day of December 2005.