Student Hero: Erica Schwegman Creates 'Hearts For Haiti' Campaign

DETROIT (WWJ) - In this weeks edition of Student Heroes, WWJ Sports Anchor, Ryan Wooley, profiles a high school junior who is helping kids she has never met, in an economically devastated part of the world.

Erica Schwegman who attends Notre Dame Prep talked about why she created her 'Hearts For Haiti' campaign.

"We don't realize how incredibly blessed and well off and we are until you see poverty like this," said Schwegman. "Making a difference can be an amazing impact and life experience."

The high school junior is supplying skirts and basketball shorts to under privileged kids in Haiti.

The idea was formed after a friend of her mom's took a missionary trip to the troubled country and reported that there was a lack of clothing for the kids. Erica's original goal was to collect around 500 items, and to date, already has close to 400 -- as donations continue to pour in.

"Notre Dame has been a huge support, they let me have a charity week and also just by word of mouth by going door to door with garbage bags," said Schwegman.

On top of the donations, Erica is making a customized bracelet that matches the skirt with a heart charm to make the gift more personal -- and her Volleyball coach Betty Wroubel say's that is just what Erica does:

"To not only bring the clothing but to add the jewelry to give the girls some way of feeling a little bit better about themselves is just what Erica does. She takes an extra step further," said Wroubel.

Congratulations Erica Schwegman, you're truly a student hero!

WWJ Newsradio 950 will run a weekly Student Hero feature. If you know someone who could be labeled a student hero and would like to nominate them for consideration, email us at wwjnewsradio@gmail.com.