The lessons of a historical figure and the kindness of a 6-year-old have melded into an inspiring relief effort.

Death and widespread destruction are often hard for a young child to comprehend, but there is little doubt that they understand what needs to be done to help.

So when Madeline Greenberg, a first-grader at Lone Tree Elementary School, saw news coverage of the aftermath left by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Jan. 12, she wanted to do her part.

She focused, in particular, on a call to action from a grey-haired man on television, who spoke during a newscast about the need for donations. It was former President Bill Clinton, a United Nations envoy to Haiti, describing the desperate situation on the island nation.

“We don’t normally watch that kind of stuff with a 6-year-old, but she’s old enough to understand that the kids there had nothing to eat, no houses, and no toys,” said Michael Greenberg, Madeline’s father. “That’s a 6-year-old’s view of it.”

Madeline had just lost her second tooth and devised a brilliant plan to send the money she got from the tooth fairy to the kids in Haiti. Last week, her teacher relayed lessons about taking initiative and taught the students about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks, two central figures in America’s civil rights movement.

Ironically, Madeline’s grandparents, Ellie and Manny Greenberg, played an instrumental role in bringing Martin Luther King, Jr. to Littleton in 1964. As longtime community activists, the Greenberg’s even created a scholarship at Arapahoe Community College in honor of King’s legacy. Manny Greenberg died last August, and Michael Greenberg delivered the keynote speech at an ACC remembrance breakfast this week.

After some digging, Madeline came up with six cents on top of the dollar in dimes she earned from the tooth fairy, but thought she could do more.

She asked her parents if she had anymore money, and Michael Greenberg mentioned the change in her piggy bank and money in her college savings account. Madeline later decided that $20 would be a good sum to add to her total, and sent $21.06 to the kids in Haiti. After all, her parents thought, the money was being used to educate the little girl. Madeline taped the change to a drawing of a gingerbread house with a rainbow overhead.

“They looked [on the television news] like they were really poor and lots of people died and I wanted to do that,” she said.

Madeline has made small donations during Sunday school, but it seems the recent school lessons about community involvement and goodwill have truly rubbed off. Her father was especially delighted that his daughter, of her own volition, wanted to step forward and do her part.

“She’s a very kind little girl,” he said. “Every step of the way, I was very proud.”

Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch is helping with earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. Donations given to the Cherry Hills disaster relief fund will be given to World Vision and Global Vision Citadel Ministries, which is supplying emergency survival kits including food, water, blankets and tents to thousands of people who were left homeless. Visit www.chcc.org for more information.

Pegasus Restaurant, 313 Jerry Street in Castle Rock, is a collection point for the American Red Cross. Clothing donations are being accepted for the Haiti disaster.

Visit www.highlandsranch247.com for more information about local groups that are donating or coordinating relief efforts.