NEW CASTLE – Kathryn Senor Elementary School students are expanding the breadth of their annual Pay It Forward community service program to include tsunami survivors in South Asia.”It’s an issue far from home, but close to the heart,” said KSE counselor Kristin Greenstreet, who helped students organize the effort.KSE students have been paying it forward since the movie by the same name came out in 2000, according to principal Bill Zambelli. They fill out paper hand prints and Pay It Forward plans naming who they will pay It forward to in their homes, school and community. “It’s random acts of kindness,” Zambelli said. “This year, one of the random acts is for them to pay it forward to tsunami survivors.” Students will collect money donations and turn them over to City Market for Red Cross.”If every kid gives $1,” said third-grader Garrett Senor, “we’ll have $540 for the tsunami survivors so they can move away from bad memories.” Students hope to raise at least that much. The effort is off to a good start with plenty of support, Greenstreet said.”I already told my mom,” said third-grader Luis Solorio. “She said she’s going to give me $2 a day.”Greenstreet said the idea was born over the holiday break when she accompanied a friend on a visit to the doctor. In the waiting room, she lamented not knowing what to do for tsunami survivors. Stacie Durrett, whose house burned just before Christmas, overheard Greenstreet and removed $20 from her wallet, offering it as the first donation.Students say their project is even more important this year than it has been in the past.”This year taking out the trash doesn’t count as much,” said fourth-grader Eileen Klomhaus. “This year it really, really matters.”Marty Martin, general manager of the New Castle City Market, plans to present the students with a check for the total amount raised within the community at their Jan. 21 Pay It Forward celebration.Contact Amanda Holt Miller: 625-3245, ext. 103ahmiller@postindependent.com