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The INDEPENDENT, July 17, 2008
Kids need something to do this summer? Get community minded
(ARA) – School is out and
across the country many fami-
lies now face the perennial sea-
sonal dilemma: What should
the kids do with themselves this
summer? For a growing num-
ber of community-minded
youngsters, the answer is:
“Make a difference.”
“Summer is all about fun in
the sun and taking a break from
the rigors of school,” says Liz
Scott of Wynnewood, Pa. “But
kids really benefit from doing
something more with their sum-
mer, like getting involved in the
community or raising funds for
a cause they believe in. Not
only do they stay occupied, en-
gaged and excited throughout
the summer, they gain a real
sense of their own strength and
worth.”
Scott should know. Her
daughter, Alexandra, gained
national attention for her efforts
to raise money for pediatric
cancer research by holding
lemonade stands. What started
as a simple but passionate idea
inspired a worldwide grassroots
fundraising effort. Sadly, Alex
passed away August 1, 2004.
Parents Liz and Jay continue
promoting Alex’s cause and
raising money for pediatric can-
cer research through their foun-
dation, Alex’s Lemonade Stand
Foundation (ALSF), which has
raised more than $19 million to
date.
“Numerous studies show
that volunteering holds many
physical and mental health
benefits for volunteers, regard-
less of their age,” says Pam
Edwards of Volvo Cars of North
America. To commemorate the
life of Alex Scott, Volvo created
the Alexandra Scott Butterfly
Award to recognize exceptional
child heroes.
Zach Bonner was named the
2008 Butterfly Award winner. To
help victims of Hurricane Katri-
na Zach, 10, collected 27 truck-
loads of sundry items, raised
$600 in donations for the Red
Cross post-Katrina efforts and
secured $7,000 worth of new
toys and sporting equipment for
homeless children living in Red
Cross shelters. He also recent-
ly founded the Little Red Wag-
on Foundation, Inc., which col-
lects and donates backpacks
filled with food, school items
and other supplies to disadvan-
taged children nationwide.
Getting kids involved can be
as simple – or grand – as the
children and parents wish. The
efforts of past Butterfly Award
winners can provide a roadmap
for getting started:
Look to the Internet. “The
Web is a great resource for
finding a charity or volunteer
opportunity that fits your child’s
needs and personality,” Ed-
wards says. For example, this
year www.lemonadestandfor-
life.com, hosted by Volvo, gives
visitors the chance to support
ALSF. By visiting the site, you
can make a direct donation by
purchasing a cups of virtual
lemonade for just $1. You can
then share those cups via e-
mail with others asking them to
also visit and support the site’s
mission.
Look to current events.
News accounts of the need
caused by Katrina inspired
Zach Bonner to get involved.
When Congress designated
November National Homeless
Youth Awareness Month, Zach
launched a marathon walk from
Tampa, Fla., to the state capital
250 miles away in Tallahassee.
He and his team raised money
and awareness for the nation’s
estimated 1.3 million homeless
children.
Draw inspiration from your
own life. Alex Scott founded her
lemonade stand as she was re-
covering from cancer treat-
ment. Grace Farnan, 14, of
South Hamilton, Mass., decid-
ed to become involved in hos-
pice care after her grandmother
peacefully passed away in hos-
pice care. Her work with the
Hospice of the North Shore has
included collecting hundreds of
new picture frames for patients
to keep photos of loved ones
close at hand, and the creation
of more than 500 guest books
in which visitors, family and
staff can write encouragement
for patients. Grace was recog-
nized as the 2006 Butterfly
Award winner.
Don’t be afraid to reach far.
In addition to efforts to help
Florida’s
hurricane-affected
residents, Samita Mohanasun-
daram, 16, of Nashua, N.H.,
also helps disadvantaged chil-
dren in India. When she was
just 7, she visited a small, im-
poverished village in southern
India and was moved by the lo-
cal school’s need for books,
supplies and materials. Upon
returning home, she launched
a book drive that drew support
from all over New England. In
2007, Samita became the third
child to win the Butterfly Award.
To learn more about the But-
terfly Awards and to help raise
funds to fight pediatric cancer,
visit www.lemonadestandfor-
life.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Golf Classic helps football players
The Logger Football Golf
Classic will be held August 16,
at Vernonia Golf Club. Come
Midway
Veterinary
Clinic
Senior
Discounts
out, have some fun, and help
raise money for Logger Foot-
ball players.
Check in is at 11:15 a.m.
with a shotgun start at noon.
There will be prizes and a bar-
beque lunch afterward. Entry is
$60 per person (without cart),
$240 per team (without cart),
and $24 for a golf cart.
Registration deadline is Au-
gust 13, forms are available at
the Vernonia School District Of-
fice. Make checks payable to
Vernonia Football and send,
with registration form, to Todd
Hicks, Vernonia Football, 810
NW Lincoln St., Hillsboro, OR
97124.
Open in Vernonia
Wednesdays and Saturdays
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Call for appointments
503-429-1612
805 Bridge Street
Vernonia
Small and Large Animals
Free Floral Delivery
in the Vernonia area
See floral examples on our website
www.creaturespetshop.com
lissaedgar@yahoo.com
503-429-PETS (7387)
736 Bridge St., Vernonia OR 97064