President Bush's request for every child in America to send a dollar to the White House for children in Afghanistan brought quick responses Friday from Tristate schools and students.

HOW TO GIVE

To contribute to the President's fund for Afghan Children:   America's Fund For Afghan Children.   c/o The White House,   1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, D.C., 20509/1600.

        Craig Hockenberry, principal of Oyler Elementary School in Lower Price Hill, made the announcement to his 606 students Friday morning. He immediately started a campaign to get a dollar from each student.

        “The response from the children was great,” Mr. Hockenberry said.

        William Burwinkel, president of National Marketshare Group Inc. of Lower Price Hill, informed Mr. Hockenberry that his company will match dollar-for-dollar — up to $5,000 — the kids' contributions.

        “We want to let the kids know that there is a community down here that will stand behind them if they want to dig into their pockets to help,” Mr. Burwinkel said.

        President Bush's call echoes back to earlier times when America's youngest citizens were called on to help.

        In times when notions of patriotism and duty were especially strong, American children and youth have been called on to get involved — from the kids of World War II collecting coins to buy War Bonds to Vietnam-era teens wearing bracelets bearing the names of prisoners of war.

        During World War II, children collected pennies, nickels and dimes to buy “savings stamps.”

        Once they had pasted about $25 worth or more of savings stamps in their booklets, they could buy their own War Bond.

        In Clifton, the 530 students at Fairview Elementary School kick ed off a fund drive Friday at a general assembly.

        “I will read portions of the President's speech and we will sing America The Beautiful,” said Karen Mulligan, principal planned to read portions of President Bush's Thursday evening comments at the assembly, then have a singing of “America, said .

        Chris Taylor, a psychologist for Cincinnati Public Schools, likes the idea.

        “It is difficult to help kids un derstand the different elements involved,” Mr. Taylor said. “This could help them understand that there are poor Afghanistan children that need help.”
       In Butler County, teachers at Fairfield North Elementary School are planning a school-wide effort to respond to President George W. Bush's request for children across the country to send $1 to the White House for the children of Afghanistan.

        Students will be asked to earn the money at home and bring a dollar to school. They will write letters with the dollar and then send them to the White House, said Diane Stacy, assistant principal. Details will be finalized Monday.

        Enquirer reporters Howard Wilkinson, Marta Roberts and Sue Kiesewetter contributed to this report.

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