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Making The World Better

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR cpastor@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 15, 2008

COUNTRYWAY - A Lowry Elementary homework assignment had fifth-graders baking cookies for senior citizens, picking up trash on beaches and making goody bags for cancer patients during treatment.

Students in three classes read the book "It's Our World, Too" about youth activists and volunteers. When they finished, teachers Sharon Wingo, Sandi Green and Michelle Dort asked their classes to find something they could do to make their community or neighborhood better.

They discussed pollution, littering and the environment. Wingo explained nonprofit organizations. They brainstormed ideas that they could accomplish by themselves or in groups.

Kenji Sun, 11, thought of helping H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center patients because his mother is a cancer survivor. He assembled bags of snacks, tissues and activity books to pass out to patients.

A classmate, 11-year-old Shelby Kennedy, was inspired to clean up his neighborhood when a driver threw a water bottle out of a car window in front of Shelby and his dog.

Sarah Faichney, 10, began an educational campaign and fundraising drive for hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the brain, after meeting a Lowry student with the condition. Sarah introduced the student to her class and participated in a fundraising walk with her in Largo.

Students tracked their projects through photographs, created displays to share with classmates and filled out evaluations about the process and results.

Richelle Bianco, 10, collected 200 pounds of food for homeless people, motivating donors by offering small Bundt cakes her aunt baked. Paige Lindbak, who also spearheaded a canned-food drive, liked Richelle's approach.

"That was really cool," said Paige, 10, "and it was probably very encouraging."

On the evaluation forms, students wrote that they enjoyed the experience and named other ways they could volunteer. Parents were pleased, too, Wingo said.

"They were excited to see their children so enthusiastic about making a difference in the world," she said.

Ansley O'Connor, 11, convinced her family to spend a day at Fort DeSoto Park and clean beaches there. She spoke with a park ranger who gave the family trash bags and offered to dispose of the garbage.

"He was very thankful," Ansley said. "He said sometimes it gets very dirty, and we don't have enough rangers."

Crystal Yildirim, 11, visited a nursing home and planned to volunteer there again with her sister. She chatted with residents and painted women's nails because some of their hands shook. During craft time, she and the women decorated crowns to wear.

"They were very nice and very polite," she said. "I think they were lonely out there."

Matthew Silva arrived at a different nursing home, where his grandmother lives, and delivered sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies he made.

"It made me feel good because it made them happy for a day," said Matthew, 10. "Everyone was smiling once they had a cookie."

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503.

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