“It was the day before St. Patrick’s Day, and we were preparing for the next day’s fund-raiser, a dress-down day,” Farris said. “I was confused at first about what it (the money) was for, but he told me, ‘This is my money. I’m been saving it in my bank at home. I want to give this to help the people in Japan.’”

As word spread of his generosity, “within the next two days other students started getting money out of their piggy banks and bringing it in. Within a week we had close to $900,” Farris said.

Holy Family principal, Sister Mary Geraldine Kemper, OP, offered ice cream left over from the parish fish fry, to the student council to sell. “We made over $200,” she said.

On April 1 a representative from the American Red Cross came to Holy Family to be presented a check for $1,110 to help the people of Japan.