One of 52 orphans prepares to depart Haiti for Ottawa, the second group of children whose adoptions have been fast-tracked since the deadly earthquake two weeks ago. (CBC)

It isn't the largest donation towards Haitian relief — but it may be the most generous and heartfelt.

Students from Secord Elementary School in Toronto's east end gave their change - pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters - and when they had finished they had raised $1,500. They intend to give the money to the Canadian Red Cross and Free the Children.

"I thought we'd raise a few hundred dollars. I never thought it would balloon into this," said Andreas Koch, the teacher who came up with the idea for the coin drive.

The neighbourhood surrounding Secord ES is not an affluent one. The homes are working class. But the students, who range in age from four to 11, embraced the idea of giving to those less fortunate.

Some, like Miriam Yacubaga, gave up their chocolate milk at lunchtime and donated their milk money to the coin drive.

"I would like to see them buy food and clothing, shelter, all that kind of stuff, that will keep them healthy and warm," said Miriam.

Justin Carusso brought in all the spare change he could find because "people in Haiti are having a hard time."

Lisa Mozer, the school principal, says she's proud of what her students have accomplished.

"We have a lot of poverty in the community and it just shows you that people are extremely generous. They can empathize with the people in Haiti," she said.

For his part, Koch says the students have not only demonstrated incredible generosity, but "they are learning that there's bigger things going on than just their life. Sure they are having a bad day but somebody else out there has it worse - and they can make a difference, even if it's small."