Six-year-old Lainie Hampton hosts fundraiser for orangutans
Six-year-old Lainie Hampton loves orangutans. So when her school, Pleasant Valley Montessori (in Boring, Oregon), completed their Earth Day fundraising for the World Wildlife Fund, she wanted to do something special just for the red haired apes.
She was familiar with Orangutan Outreach from watching ‘Orangutan Island’ on Animal Planet– and had already seen her older sister Johanna help raise funds for the new orangutan habitat at the Oregon Zoo. We had just announced our Mother’s Day campaign, M.O.M. - Missing Orangutan Mothers, and Lainie had an idea. She decided to download and print several of the posters from the Orangutan Outreach website. She then recycled a science fair poster board and made her own fundraising poster for school.
To raise money, Lainie connected with a local fundraising company that transfers children’s artwork to cards, mugs, t-shirts, etc. and encouraged her schoolmates to participate. “We were so thrilled when Lainie came up with this brilliant idea to help the Orangs. She has inspired other students in the pursuit of environmental consciousness. We are very proud of her!” said Diane Overtuf, director at the school.
Together the Pleasant Valley Montessori School raised $328.90 for the Nyaru Menteng orangutan rehabilitation center and orphanage. When asked why she wanted to help, Lainie replied, “Because they are endangered and they’re cute!”
Sounds good to us, Lainie! We provided the entire class with two orangutan adoptions, and they chose to adopt Kesi and Fio.
On behalf of the orangutans, Lainie, thank you so much for your incredible efforts!
June 6th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Laine,
Your grandmother Penny has been telling about all the very great things you have done to help raise money for the world Wildlife Fund. What a wonderful gesture for someone as young as yourself. Your parents must be very proud of you as I am also. Keep up the good work. It is very refreshing to see and hear of the good things young people do. Please tell your sister I am pround of her as well.
Anna Guske
June 8th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Dear Laine,
As a twelve year old girl trying to help save the orangutans it is really cool to see that other kids are trying to help too! My brother is also 6 and well…let’s just say I don’t think he is quite as smart as you! He’s just interestered in playing with Legos and would never think up something as amazing as this! Wow, tell your sister she is also inspiring! Just remember to never let anyone tell you no! Never give up!
June 8th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Hi my name is Lorraine Overturf, I am Miss Diane’s sister. I am so proud of you and I like orangutans too.