Published February 8, 2009
By Michael Solender
The Charlotte Observer
Service to the community was not the first thing that came to mind as I cast my eyes upon the 500 or so assembled youngsters in Charlotte Latin's lower school gymnasium the other day.
Sitting attentively, awaiting a brief presentation from their peers, the children were on their best behavior. Not being a parent myself, I have limited experience with 5- to 11-year-olds, so I puzzled silently about what these kids could know about reaching out and helping others, particularly in a coordinated effort. As I quickly learned, they know, and most importantly, they do, plenty.
The students were assembled to kick off the annual “Tip Your Hat Day,” a school-sponsored service project.
This year, the students decided their efforts should benefit soldiers in Iraq who have Charlotte ties. The students held a fundraiser, with proceeds going toward phone cards for the troops, along with personal letters from each of the children. They also collected pencils and toothbrushes, which will be sent to Iraqi children.
Previous efforts have seen contributions go toward Charlotte's Classroom Central, a free store for teachers in lower-income schools, and Habitat for Humanity. The children are encouraged to do household chores to earn funds for contribution to the designated effort. To make it extra fun, each student contributing $1 or more is allowed to wear the hat of their choice on a designated day.
Joy Greenwald is the mother of two Charlotte Latin students. She thought of benefitting soldiers and suggested the idea to Shirley Cook, a first-grade teacher and one of the coordinators of service projects for the lower school.
Greenwald is good friends with Lt. Col. Barry Ross, who is on his second tour of duty in Iraq. A member of the Army Reserve, Ross is an assistant principal at Piedmont High School. “I have sent cookies and letters in the past,” said Greenwald. “I just knew there was more that could be done, and there has been an outpouring of support from everyone I have asked.”
Ross's wife, Sharon, attended the assembly and lent a personal face and story for the students to identify with. “I feel a tremendous amount of pride,” she said. “To see the amount of genuine care and concern expressed by these children is just great.”
The phone cards, pencils, toothbrushes and letters will be sent to her husband, who will coordinate their distribution.
Mark Tayloe, head of Charlotte Latin's lower school, said the service to the community is part of the entire school's mission. “Children, often more than adults, look out for the needs of others,” said Tayloe. “They have a warm heart for people in need and jump into service projects enthusiastically with both feet.”
The service club is an after-school program that meets once a month. Almost 30 students from several grades participate, according to Cook. “The kids are active in looking for ways to help benefit the community; Tip Your Hat Day is always one of their favorite projects of the year,” Cook said.
Service club members are each assigned a classroom and personally visit their designated class, explaining the project and generating support.
More special than the phone cards will be the love and good wishes our troops will receive upon opening their letters, thanks to the small kids with big hearts.
To view the article online, go to www.charlotteobserver.com.