IV. Kids

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As our work progressed over this past year, a new and exciting trend became obvious. More and more of the stories we heard involved kids - be they youngsters still in elementary school or young adults in high school or college. For the nay-sayers who claim that we are a country filled with self-centered, indulged kids - we respectfully disagree. For example, we were very moved this past fall when one young Bar Mitzvah chose to share more than $13,000 of his gifts with Ziv. Along with the check came very detailed notes about how he wanted his money distributed. More than a dozen organizations benefited from his Simcha. It is clear that he learned his Bar Mitzvah lessons well! Read on and see just what else is happening...

A. THE AMAZING KIDS FROM QUINCY ($3,515.62)
Last fall, during a speaking engagement that took us to New England, we finally met the kids at the Broad Meadows Middle School in Quincy, MA. What a glorious day! This was a visit we had anticipated since we first heard of their work promoting the abolition of child slavery throughout the world.

Many of you already know the story of Iqbal Masih, a young Pakistani boy sold into slavery because his parents could not repay a loan to a moneylender. Iqbal's story has been the subject of numerous movies and books, but the efforts of the Quincy kids who were inspired by Iqbal's efforts and subsequent murder, is not as well known.

The details of Iqbal's battle can be found on many websites and we especially recommend the Broad Meadows site noted below. At the age of 12, Iqbal visited the United States to accept a human rights award and it was at that time that he visited the middle school. The kids were struck by his story and the bravery he demonstrated in his crusade to end this terrible practice. When they learned that Iqbal had been murdered when he returned to Pakistan they jumped into action. This was a kid who was their very own age! How could such a thing happen? It was the kids' unassuming innocence that brought them, with the guidance of their dedicated teacher, Ron Adams, to their mission. Using the power of the Internet and Iqbal's story, they have raised more than $150,000. They had heard Iqbal's message that education was the key to ending child slavery, and this money was used to build a school house in Iqbal's village. Today, that school is a reality, as is the availability of a nurse who offers health care to the village's kids and their families. Other funds provide microloans to the women of the region, allowing them to become self-sufficient.

During our October visit, we asked the kids what they needed to make their job easier. The answers that poured forth were thoughtful: A fax machine. A new phone that worked properly. Pens, writing paper, envelopes, stamps, markers, colored paper - all such simple needs. (Everyone who donates to this project gets a hand-written letter of thanks from the kids.) It was our pleasure to provide these items as well as funds to pay their monthly phone bill and Internet connection.

We can think of no better story to describe Kid Power. This is a story of compassion and bravery and, most of all, never saying, "It can't be done!"

[A School for Iqbal, c/o Ron Adams, Broad Meadows Middle School, 50 Calvin Rd., Quincy, MA 02169, 617-984-8723, ronadams2@aol.com, www.digitalrag.com/iqbal/.]

B. THE PARAMOUNT BAR MITZVAH PROJECT ($250)
David Levitt's story about saving food from school cafeterias is both educational and astonishing. Faced with the task of finding a Bar Mitzvah project, David came upon this idea when he heard about the work Stan Curtis was doing retrieving food in Kentucky. Despite warnings that it would not happen, David approached the local school board and asked if they would allow him to collect all of the leftovers (properly packaged, of course) in the school lunchroom. They agreed. From that point, there was no stopping him. The number of schools participating in his project grew and eventually all of Pinellas county public schools took part. Working with a Florida state legislator, David was ultimately responsible for the passage of a state law requiring the collection and redistribution of all cafeteria leftovers from public schools in Florida. This last feat was accomplished by David's 16th birthday!

David's story is so powerful. We continually cite it when we speak to kids across the country. Much like the story of Iqbal and the kids at Broad Meadow School - it is a tale of empowerment, of Kid Power, of never giving up or saying it can't be done. David is about to graduate from high school. One can only begin to imagine what wonders he will perform as he enters adulthood.

Our funds went to Tampa Bay Harvest, the food program that worked with David when he started his program, Food For Thought.

[David Levitt, 9603 108th Ave. N., Largo, FL 33773, 727-398-1766, celebrate9@aol.com, at the Giraffe Project Site -
www.giraffe.org/giraffe/levitt.htm. Contributions made out to: "Help for the Harvest," to be sent to David at the address listed.]

C. OH, YOU BEAUTIFUL DOLLS ($2,000)
Our friend, Marji Greenhut, first told us about Linda Tarry-Chard and Project People's efforts to manufacture beautiful black dolls for the children of South Africa who had never seen a doll with a black face. Working with Helen Lieberman, a native of South Africa, Linda's program gives meaningful employment to women and youth in South Africa's townships. The dolls have eventually found their way to Israel where they are frequently given to Ethiopian children who have made Aliyah (come home to Israel).

Today, we are delighted to learn about Project People's new program that will help empower women here in the United States, as well as women and youth in South Africa.

Children's clothing, beaded headbands, baby blankets, note paper, and a very special beaded AIDS pin are now being produced in South Africa. Women who live in some of New York City's poorer neighborhoods will be involved in the packaging and marketing of those items. Linda has even gotten Madison Avenue's #1 agency, DDB Worldwide, on board to advertise this effort. Much of Ziv's donation went to the purchase of the dolls which we brought and hand-delivered to the Ethiopian children living in the Givat HaMatos caravan site on the outskirts of Jerusalem.

[Linda Tarry-Chard, The Project People Foundation, 110 E. 59th St., 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10022, 212-415-2280, fax: 415-2049, ltdolls@aol.com.]

D. BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS ($2,965)
We are particularly pleased about all of the fine connections we have been able to make for Frank and Faye Clarke and Educate the Children. Many of you, with the Clarkes' direction, have shipped computers, books, and other educational materials to schools in the nation's poorest communities. The Clarkes are fine examples of Mitzvah Heroes par excellence!

[Educate the Children Foundation, 14422 Hammond Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, Attn: Frank and Faye Clarke, 714-901-7237, fax: 901-5337, educatethechildren@juno.com (Frank Clarke),www.educatethechildren.org.]

E. MORE BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS ($2,500)
World Care-Tools for Schools is in the business of sending new and used school supplies to kids both nationally and internationally. Based in Arizona, they have helped more than 8,000 kids with the support of a large corps of volunteers. World Care is also working to replicate their project in other states.

[World Care-Tools for Schools, Lisa Hopper, President, PO Box 64001, Tucson, AZ 85728, phone/fax: 520-797-7773,
hopper@azstarnet.com, www.worldcare.org.]

F. THE FIRST EVER MITZVAH CRIB ($3,800)
Phone calls from Jeannie Jaybush are always special. Her compassionate manner is perfect for the type of work she does. St. Joseph's Baby Corner provides newborns and their moms in the Seattle area with all of the basics - diapers, bottles, formula, clothing. Some of the not-so-basic but much-needed items include baby bottlebrushes and all manner of soaps and detergents. For people who live in dire economic situations, matters of hygiene, though important, are not always possible. When the choice is to buy food to eat or a bar of soap, there really is no easy answer.

We are proud to report that Jeannie was given a Caring Award this past November by the Washington-based Caring Institute (see section V:B). Jeannie joins the company of many of our Mitzvah Heroes who have received this prestigious award.

[Baby Corner, 900 Boylston Ave, #1, Seattle, WA 98104, Attn: Jeannie Jaybush, 206-726-1435, fax: 568-4419.]

G. CINDERELLA ($360)
We recently received an update of The Glass Slipper's first year's activities. It is impressive! Started in Chicago by two young women, Rachel Hart and Kathy Goldberg, the project's goal is to collect and distribute "gently worn" formal dresses and accessories to Chicago high school students who lack financial resources to purchase their own prom attire. More than 1,100 dresses, hundreds of pairs of shoes, and boxes and boxes of makeup and accessories were given away during three "Boutiques." This is an easy one to replicate - try it!

[The Glass Slipper Project, Rachel Hart, c/o Varga Berger Ledsky Hayes & Casey, 224 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 350, Chicago, IL 60604, 312-732-7682 (Kathy), 312-341-9848 (Rachel), rah1997@concentric.net, www.glassslipperproject.org.]

H. TREVOR FERRELL: THE BOOK ($2,000)
The story of Trevor Ferrell, the youngster who, at the age of 11, saw the harsh realities of Philadelphia's homeless people, and decided to do something for them, is one of pure inspiration. For ten years, Trevor's Campaign, run by Trevor and his family, provided the basic necessities for untold numbers of poor people. Though they no longer have a connection to the program, Trevor's Place, the inspiring story of Trevor's mission, has been reprinted. We find that it is one of the best ways to spread Trevor's story and to encourage others to follow his lead. We have purchased copies of the books and distribute them at many of Danny's talks.

[Inquiries and to order the book: Ferrell Family Endeavors, Box 21, Gladwyne, PA 19035, Attn: Frank Ferrell, 610-642-4633,
www.philanthroserve.org/trevor/TrevorHome.htm.]

I. A PENNY SAVED ($250)*
We learned of Whitney Taxman's Bat Mitzvah project a few years ago. Her goal is to raise a million and a half pennies, or $15,000, one penny for each of the children murdered during the Shoah. The funds will be donated to organizations that address children's needs.

[Whitney's Pennies, Whitney Taxman, 1810 South 108th Street, Omaha, NE 68144, 402-397-5816, Trtlepwr1@aol.com. Donations through Xelan Foundation, 401 West A Street, #2210, San Diego, CA 92101.]

J. KIBBLES 'N BITS ($180)*
Rabbi Neal Gold of Anshe Emeth in New Brunswick, NJ, recently shared Yoav Nessim's creative Bar Mitzvah project with us. Yoav had learned about the Israel Guide Dog Center and was excited about their work. How could he help? Yoav has gone into the dog biscuit business. With help from his family, and a recipe for a "gourmet" dog biscuit, Yoav is now baking these canine treats. $5.00 buys a bag and all proceeds will be forwarded to the Center! (section XVI:A)

[Shlomo Nessim, 271 Riva Avenue, Milltown, NJ 08850, 732-422-1463, shlomoness@juno.com.]

K. THE MITZVAH OF BIKUR CHOLIM ($500)*
The teen-age Mitzvah Makers at the Rockland County (NY) YM-YWHA have been active for years in some very special community Mitzvah work. Visiting shut-ins in local hospitals and institutions, these kids take the Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim- visiting sick people very seriously. Our donation was used to purchase items for the nearly 2,000 Mishloach Manot baskets they distribute for Purim.

[Mitzvah Makers, Cathie Izen, Rockland YM-YWHA, 900 Route 45, New City, NY 10956, 914-362-4400 x103, fax: 362-5107.]

L. MITZVAH BUSINESS ($200)*
The Mitzvah Club at Abrams Hebrew Academy has been involved in several different Mitzvah projects in the Yardley, PA, area and recently decided that they could increase their efforts if they had a source of income. They wrote a proposal for a student-run store that will sell school supplies, small toys and snacks before and after school hours. Our gift provided them with funding for a locked display case and a collection barrel, which will optimize their efforts. Kol Hakavod-Right On!

[The Mitzvah Club, Abrams Hebrew Academy, 31 West College Avenue, Yardley, PA. 19067, phone: 215-493-1800, fax: 493-1165.]

M. AMY'S HOLIDAY PARTY ($100)*
Amy Sacks, a high school student in Atlanta, has been throwing a holiday party for homeless children for the past five years. With help from her friends and donations from local businesses, she provides the kids with everything they like - pizza, candy, toys, and a visit from that famous guy in a red suit!

[Amy Sacks, 4 Ascot Manor, Atlanta GA 30327, 770-953-8198, amysacks@hotmail.com.]

N. FRIENDS OF MEVASSERET JUNIOR HS ($15,000)
Once again, this gift to the Mevasseret school was the direct result of a special donation from an American foundation. Mevasseret Junior High School runs a program called "The Center" that provides for the special needs of some of the school's more problematic students. In "The Center" one-on-one tutors provide extra help and attention, along with added instruction in school work.

[Mevasseret Zion Junior High School, Yasmin St. 5, Mevasseret Zion, 90805, Israel, Attn: Aviva Berger, phone: 02-533-0049, fax: 533-0947.]

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