Pilot Mountain Middle School was recognized at the Mount Airy Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday for making a donation to help Haiti.

Rotary International is sponsoring ShelterBoxes to send to Haiti and Pilot Mountain Middle stepped up to the plate to raise money for the cause. The school sponsored a penny war in order to raise money to donate to the cause.

Boxes were placed in each classroom at the school. In homeroom, students were encouraged to donate pennies while in other rooms they were encouraged to donate nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars. Pennies equated to positive amounts while other denominations of money counted as negative amounts. The challenge was for homerooms to get as close to positive as possible.

The school set a goal of raising $1,000. They far surpassed that goal and presented a check for more than $2,000 to the Rotary at Tuesday’s meeting.

“We need to teach a higher sense and a higher duty, that we should reach out and lend a helping hand,” said Neil Atkins, principal. “I am proud I am the principal of such a fine student body.”

ShelterBoxes contain a 10-person tent, a children’s pack with drawing books, crayons and pens, survival equipment including mosquito nets and water purification tablets and a basic tool kit. The boxes themselves can be used for water or food storage or even as a cot for newborns.

At Tuesday’s meeting the Mount Airy Rotary also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Everyone in attendance was given a birthday candle to put in their slice of cake. All of the candles, totaling more than 100, were lit as people sang “Happy Birthday” led by Steven Simpson, senior district executive of the Old Hickory Council. A few people who have been involved in Boy Scouts for many years were also in attendance.

Mount Airy Police Chief Dale Watson also was welcomed as a new member.

Rotary members also heard a presentation from HorsePower, a horseback riding program for people with disabilities and for at-risk youth.

“The motivation is ‘I want to ride.’ They do what they need really quickly because they want to keep riding,” said Tim Clifford, youth director, of the Colfax facility. “Our kids can come out here with their peers. Mom and dad can talk to other moms and dads. They form friendships.”

The facility helps these children to improve physically, mentally and emotionally through working on everything from correct posture to increased self-esteem. Each session lasts six weeks and includes 45 to 60-minute classes.

The Personal Achievement Through Horses program is for at-risk youth and meets in two-hour classes. The youth learn that they are responsible for their actions and can influence the outcome of situations.

“You’re talking about changing people’s lives,” said Clifford.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.