I was reading an article in Family Circle magazine's December edition about a group of kids who have taken it upon themselves to help Katrina victims. Four girls in Iowa have "adopted" Brock Elementary School in Slidell, Louisiana and are working to help the students there know that they are not forgotten.
More about the work these young ladies are undertaking below the fold.
The four girls, Sarah Larson, Talia Leman, Emma Skahill and Lanna Whitlock, have organized assemblies at Van Meter Community School where students from Van Meter decorate handmade cards (made in the shape of a house) and add a message of encouragement. Inside each card is a gift certificate donated to the group by Toys-R-Us, which had been solicited by Emma and Lanna.
The girls received help and encouragement from RandomKid (randomkid.org), a non-profit group whose goal is to encourage children to help those in need.
Talia and Sarah contacted Office Depot, who will send backpacks and school supplies to the students at Brock. The girls are also raising money to help Habitat for Humanity build houses for those affected by selling carabiners. Target is sending $20,000 worth of school materials, including clothes, sports equipment, and rugs for classrooms.
These four girls aren't alone in their efforts, either. Other young people across the country are doing what they can for a good cause. Schoolkids across the US have raised over $10 million for Katrina relief (only a handful of corporations have matched this amount).
So, for those who say that kids today are "lazy" and that they "don't care", I say you need to check out RandomKids, read what they have accomplished, and then come back and say that, if you dare.