ARLINGTON — When Burch Walker saw the damage caused by the January earthquake in Haiti, he wanted to help out.

So the Eagle Creek Elementary fourth-grader decided to hold a fundraiser that would combine his willingness to help with his love of swimming.

“Because I swim here, I thought we could just do it here,” he said.

Burch raised $328 for the American Red Cross on Friday, March 19, by hosting a free swimming party at the Marysville-Pilchuck High School Pool.

During the hour-long party, Burch collected donations at the door from about 70 children that showed up.

The student invited about 200 people from his school and swim team — the Mighty Marlins.

In addition to getting a chance to swim, Burch’s invitees got Krispy Kreme doughnuts and juice pouches.

Burch’s mom, Voni Walker, said that her son originally collected $175 from his relatives. After reserving the pool, he still had about $125 left to put toward the Red Cross.

“His original goal was $200, but since he already raised $125, he changed it to about $300,” Voni Walker said.