[PHOTO/CAPTION: Five students get a workout using Hula Hoops

[PHOTO/CAPTION: Five students get a workout using Hula Hoops

The Braille Monitor

July,

2002

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Kids

Reach Out to Federation

Raise

Funds to Help the Blind

by Aloma Bouma

Five

students get a workout using Hula Hoops.

From

the Editor: Aloma Bouma is Assistant Director of Community Relations for the

National Federation of the Blind. She wrote the following article to commend

a wonderful group of elementary-school students and to explain a great idea

that can be duplicated everywhere. This is what she says:

No

doubt about it, kids today know the value of the Internet and how to make full

use of it. This point was recently driven home by a group of dedicated and energetic

fifth graders at Pointers Run Elementary School in Clarksville, Maryland. Together

with their parents, nearly two hundred students planned and organized the first-ever

sports-a-thon at the school designed to raise funds the students would donate

to a chosen charity.

Each of the seven fifth grade classes

was divided into several small groups, and these groups were then assigned to

research various charities and non-profit organizations on the Internet. The

goal was to find a worthy recipient of the funds raised by the students. As

each group made its presentation and appeal to the individual class, one charity

was voted the choice of that particular class. The seven finalists were then

presented to the entire fifth grade, and the National Federation of the Blind

was voted by the entire group to be the best choice.

Six

students enjoy jumping rope.

Once

the kids had selected the National Federation of the Blind, they wanted to know

even more about the organization they had chosen. After all, these kids wanted

to raise as much money as they could, and they needed to learn about the NFB

in order to convince their friends and families to support their cause. As she

often does, Mrs. Patricia Maurer, wife of NFB President Marc Maurer and director

of community relations for the NFB, accepted an invitation to address the fifth

graders and talk with them about blindness, the National Federation of the Blind,

and the new National Research and Training Institute for the Blind. To help

the kids learn even more about the Federation, she gave each student a copy

of the brochure, "What Is the National Federation of the Blind?" and

an NFB Braille alphabet card.

Then the kids had about three weeks

to plan their event and raise donations. The sports-a-thon was scheduled for

Wednesday, May 29, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Together the kids and parents came

up with ideas for seven different competitions. Each student would participate

in three to five events. The seven classes rotated among the seven competitions,

and those students not participating at any given time served as helpers for

other events. Rather than asking for donations based on length or success of

participation in specific competitions, the students requested flat donations

in advance of the sports-a-thon.

In

the gym students dribble and make baskets using all five basketball nets.

The

competitions included a quarter-mile walk/jog, a target softball throw, soccer,

a Hula-Hoop contest, a jump rope competition, football punting, and a team basketball

game. Each rotation lasted for approximately fifteen minutes. To liven things

up even more, a special teacher's competition was held at the end of the sports-a-thon.

The kids were even more excited to learn that reporters from their local newspaper,

the Columbia Flier, and from the Baltimore Sun were to cover the

event.

Finally, at the end of the sports-a-thon,

the tired but proud students were ready and eager to present their hard-earned

donations to Mrs. Maurer. They had kept the total amount of money raised a surprise

until the actual presentation of the check to the NFB. And, to Mrs. Maurer's

great astonishment and appreciation, the check was in the amount of $4,500.

After all the activity the students gather in what shade they can find

for the presentation of the check to Mrs. Maurer.

In

accepting the generous contribution, Mrs. Maurer told the students, staff, and

parents: "We are very excited to have been the organization you have chosen

to benefit from this special event. You have all put a lot of thought and effort

into making this a success that will help the blind. The students have worked

very hard to raise contributions, and they have learned a great deal about blindness

and what the blind can accomplish. We are proud of all of your efforts, and

we appreciate your generosity very much." Mrs. Maurer went on to tell the

participants how the funds will contribute to the development of the National

Research and Training Institute for the Blind and will lead to programs benefiting

thousands of blind people in the years to come.

During the presentation ceremony Mrs.

Maurer awarded a special certificate of appreciation from the National Federation

of the Blind to the fifth grade class at Pointers Run Elementary School, and

every student who participated in the sports-a-thon received an NFB T-shirt.

The text of the certificate read:

Know

All Men and Women

by

These Presents that

The

National Federation of the Blind

welcomes

and thanks

the

Fifth Grade Class of

Pointers

Run Elementary School

And

that this certificate is presented

in

grateful recognition of the generous assistance

given

to help the blind achieve better lives

Marc

Maurer, President, National Federation of the Blind

Mrs.

Maurer addresses students, parents, and teachers following the presentation

of the check to the NFB. The seven youngsters who raised the most money

are clustered around Mrs. Maurer.

One

of the seven students holds the certificate Mrs. Maurer has just presented,

and another examines a picture of the National Research and Training Institute.

We

commend the fifth grade class at Pointers Run Elementary School in Clarksville,

along with their parents and teachers, for their generosity and dedication to

the blind. The accomplishments and success of the National Federation of the

Blind have been built not only through our passion and dedication but also with

the hard work, understanding, and support of thousands of others. These students

are a shining example of what can be done with a little thought, some planning,

and a lot of effort. The $4,500 raised is an outstandingachievement; yet we

know this feat can be multiplied over and over in our schools, church groups,

and community-service partners. It's up to all of us to take this and similar

ideas to groups in our own communities. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Pointers

Run fifth grade was the first of a long line of school and community groups

to join hands with us as we build the future for blind people?

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