May 16, 2001
Powerpuffs show super commitment
Old Mission school club collects stuffed animals for children
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Kids talking to kids.
Demonstrating the power of youth, the dozen members of the Powerpuffs club at Old Mission Elementary School reached out and touched area foster children and homeless children.
Through their collection of gently used books and stuffed animals, these sixth-grade girls realized they could make a difference in the life of children around the region. As they donated the books and stuffed animals by the hundreds to a representative of the Goodwill Inn and Child and Family Services Monday afternoon, they learned about the lives of children who may not have even one toy to call their own.
"Foster kids often come into care with only the clothes on their back, if that," said Gina Aranki of Child and Family Services, who noted there are an average of 160 children in foster care in the 12-county region.
"In addition to the services we offer, we also try to provide a little TLC, for the young ones in particular. To have something soft to hold onto means a great deal to these children."
Cindy Witkowski, Children's Advocate and Volunteer coordinator for the Goodwill Inn, was also moved by the girls' donation. She was particularly pleased to find a stuffed Tigger, which one of the shelter's children had been wishing for as a birthday gift.
"We have 25 children in the shelter now, more than ever before," she said. "They have had so many losses and their parents are looking for housing and jobs; these kids just want what you have."
After two years of service to their community, the members of the Powerpuff club were glad to help out in this way.
"We just wanted to help people," Natalie Jaroh said. "The club is fun and we get to help people."
The Peninsula Powerpuff Girls formed two years ago to undertake service projects such as the stuffed animal and book donations. At the time, the school did not have a Girl Scout troop so some of the mothers proposed forming a service club of their own. The girls were enthusiastic about the idea and began their service by baking cookies for the Old Mission Women's Club annual Cookie Walk.
Since then, they have collected toys for the Women's Resource Center, raised money for the school PTO and library, planted bulbs in the Peninsula Community Library garden, sung for residents at the Grand Traverse Pavilions and cleaned up trash near the Old Mission Lighthouse.
Their next endeavor is to raise money for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life walk. The Powerpuffs have formed their own team - the only one from their school so far - and will participate in the relay, camping overnight and fielding at least one walker during the whole 24 hours. In addition, each team member has a goal of raising $200 to donate to the American Cancer Society, which will be presented during the relay.
"I like the fact that I am helping people, it makes me feel good," said Stacey Lane, a member of the club for one year.
Lane, a newcomer to the school this year, found an instant group of friends in the Peninsula Powerpuffs. Comprised of all the girls in the sixth grade, the group has brought everyone closer. In addition to their many service projects, the also get together just to have fun.
"I've really gotten to know the girls in the club and my grade, probably better than I would have otherwise," Lane said.