South Jersey School Raises $$ For Earthquake-Damaged Statue In Camden
By Michelle Durham
BERLIN, N.J. (CBS) -- Children from a Catholic school in South Jersey have raised more than a thousand dollars to help repair the statue of the Virgin Mary atop Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, NJ.
The statue was damaged by the earthquake that rattled the east coast last August (see related story) and was removed from its rooftop perch in November (another related story).
Principal Don Monforto of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Regional School (second from right in photo) says the drive began in December, and he admits he didn't expect the kids to raise much money.
"We were collecting food products for a parish in Camden, we were having a Christmas cookie collection for another cause," he recalls, "so I figured we would collect a couple dollars. (But) the kids went above and beyond -- they raised over $1,100, all in coins!"
The 4th grade raised the most money for the statue's repair, which will be underway for some weeks to come.
