Catholic school children in Los Angeles are stepping up to help those devastated by a massive earthquake that killed more than 500 people in Ecuador on Saturday.
The Missionary Childhood Association, part of the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese, kicked off their "Aid for Ecuador" campaign in the Westlake District on Thursday.
Students at Our Lady of Loretto Elementary School challenged kids across Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties to help raise money for the earthquake relief effort in Ecuador.
The magnitude-7.8 quake struck Ecuador's Pacific coastline Saturday. The government put the death toll at 553 on Wednesday but officials expected more bodies to be found. At least 100 people remain missing and another 4,600 injured.
Students at Lorreto said they want to be an example for other kids to show that they can help their brothers and sisters many miles away.
"We're trying to raise enough money for Ecuador, " said 6th grader Jada Badareen. "For the people who have died and lost their families, rebuild their houses, give them money to continue to live."
The "Aid for Ecuador" fund-raising campaign, organized by the Archdiocese's Mission Office, is expected to include about 80,000 Catholic elementary and secondary school children and religious education students through May 6.
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An anonymous donor has offered to match each dollar raised up to $100,000 in the campaign.
Click here to find out how you can help quake victims in Ecuador.
