NATCHEZ &045; A visit from a volunteer in an Indonesian orphanage made the effects of the Asian tsunami real to Cathedral high school students, and they took action.

What originally started as a Key Club bake sale to raise money for the relief fund grew to a school-wide money drive when the club members discovered one of the school’s students had a connection to the tragedy.

Tenth-grader Brandi McGraw’s aunt, Lori Royal, has been volunteering for an orphanage in the country while her husband is working there. Royal left Indonesia for vacation just before the tsunami, but has heard reports about the affect it has had in the orphanage.

Royal shared her experiences with the Indonesian children with the Cathedral students.

&uot;She told us 40 kids can eat over there for $5,&uot; said Joanna David, a freshmen Key Club member. &uot;That’s when all the money got to us.&uot;

Key Club members organized penny wars between each high school grade level, but pennies soon turned into larger bills.

&uot;It was unbelievable,&uot; club sponsor Vicky Malone said. &uot;Parents were writing checks, elementary students were giving, teachers were giving.&uot;

In the spirit of class competition, the freshman pitted themselves against the seniors to come out on top in donations. Last minute money collecting propelled the freshman past the seniors $830 to $503.

Altogether the students raised $2,423.61, which was presented to Royal on Friday. The money will go directly to the orphanage she volunteers at.

&uot;Finally there was a way to directly do something to help the kids,&uot; Malone said. &uot;The kids were going to be able to help those kids. That’s an powerful thing.&uot;

Key Club President Mary Kate Byrne said hearing Royal’s stories helped her understand life in the country.

&uot;She told the stories where you pretty much put yourself in the situation,&uot; Byrne said.

Royal told students the number of children at the orphanage had grown by 200 after the tsunami.

&uot;It showed us how much we take for granted,&uot; David said. &uot;When you know it’s going to real people it really gets real to you.&uot;