Calhoun High School raised $2,140 last week through fundraising efforts to support earthquake victims in Haiti. 

On Friday, Calhoun dressed down for the cause with students donating $1 to wear their pajamas to school and teachers chipping in $5 for the chance to wear their jeans to work.

"We want to show that Calhoun isn't just Calhoun and that we can help Haiti," said Jeffrey Caso, the junior class president.

Members of the junior class manned the tables in front of the school on Friday morning to collect donations as students and teachers arrived. 

"Even if they weren't wearing pajamas they were giving money," junior Justin Schmierer said.

The school took in $1,076 from Pajama and Jeans Day alone, but Calhoun has been collecting cash, supplies, food and clothes for Haiti victims since the 7.0-magnitude quake struck the impoverished nation on January 12. 

Junior Diandra Hanna created the Facebook group, "'Houn for Haiti," which had more than 400 members as of yesterday.  The page includes photos of the earthquake's devastation and calls on the Calhoun community to help out in anyway they can.

"I came up with the idea to make a group because I knew it would reach a lot of people," Hanna said.  "We have to get money there as soon as possible."

Students in Calhoun's "Voices of the Past" class, which studies genocide and human rights issues, have played a large part in organizing the fundraising efforts.

"When a human tragedy happens, we take it as an opportunity," said David Goldberg, who teaches the class.  "It's a very teachable moment for us.  The major lesson has been to highlight the importance of philanthropy, to help others in need."

The confirmed death toll in Haiti has already topped 150,000 and it could double as the rubble is sorted through, according to published reports.

Calhoun Principal David Seinfeld said that although rebuilding Haiti "will be a long and challenging struggle," he is confident that his students are in it for the long haul.

"Calhoun students have always come to the aid of the less fortunate," Seinfeld said.  "While the devastation in Haiti is truly catastrophic, the students at Calhoun recognize that every little bit counts and I know that they know that they can make a difference in the lives of people who are going through great suffering."

Calhoun may have raised more than $2,000 last week, all of which will go to the non-profit Partners for Health, but school administrators said the fundraising was far from over. 

"That money was just a first installment," Assistant Principal Jennifer Vitale said. 

The school has already designed "'Houn for Haiti" t-shirts that will be sold next week. Proceeds from Calhoun's Battle of the Classes and Teacher Auction will go to Haitian relief as well.  A "Love for Haiti" dance is scheduled for February 8 at Calhoun, with a $2 suggested donation for students attending.