Date: Fri 15-May-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

edink-kids-contributions

Full Text:

Ed Ink: The Contributions Of Kids

The parents and teachers we most admire believe in a common principle for

inspiring children: it is better to give kids problems to solve than answers

to remember. This year, we have seen that principle at work in Newtown in

several instances, and not just in school work or in the other challenging

learning and athletic tasks set before children as a matter of course. An

increasing number of kids are going beyond solving their own problems and

applying their thoughts and talents to solving the problems of others.

Consider these acts by Newtown children:

The students at Hawley School recently completed their second food drive of

the year, collecting more than 400 items for the FAITH Food Pantry.

Junior Girl Scouts provided refreshments for the AmeriCares volunteers working

on home repair projects in the area.

Two 11-year-old twins, Jason and Douglas Graves, recently asked kids attending

their birthday party to bring non-perishable items for the food pantry instead

of birthday presents.

Sisters Crystal and Nancy Wilder, students at Middle Gate School, have

initiated a program at Big Y making it possible for shoppers to donate their

"award coins" to the food pantry, enabling needy families to get fresh food at

Big Y in addition to the non-perishable food they get at the pantry.

Scout and youth groups routinely visit the elderly residents at the Ashlar

nursing home and spread their natural enthusiasm and joy with small handmade

gifts for those served by Meals on Wheels.

This is just a partial list, but it more than makes our point: Children are

open and giving by nature when they are given the opportunity to help others

and are supported by adults in their efforts. There are more than enough

problems to go around in this world, and we need all the help we can get. We

should all remember what great allies kids can be.