Franklin Students Aid Education of Children Half-Way Around The Globe
By Christina Wessell
FRANKLIN, KY - April 3, 2008 - Pencils, paper, rulers, erasers … what reads like a page-long “back to school” checklist is simply a wish list – a wish list for Lincoln Elementary students who want to make a difference.  In celebration of the 20th Annual Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, students are sponsoring a school supply donation drive. Once collected, heavily stamped boxes of school supplies will travel half way around the globe in hopes of benefiting the lives of students in war torn, Iraq. The 10 & 11 year old children have partnered with American soldiers to enrich the lives of children who have suffered the devastating affects of war. After his platoon received care packages in January from the students, SFC Todd Cagle, U.S. Army, shared the need for basic educational supplies for Iraqi children while the area rebuilds schools. Sgt. Cagle is currently serving his 3rd tour of duty in Iraq and is the husband of Lesley Cagle, the school’s music teacher. Students saw Sgt. Cagle’s request as an opportunity to make a difference by planning a youth service project for GYSD. “GYSD gives Kentucky’s youth a chance to make powerful contributions to their communities,” said Mary Kate Poling, Executive Director for Kentucky Child Now (KCN), “As lead agency in our state, we believe young people are resources and leaders. The youth of Lincoln Elementary are a shining example of how young people can not only make a difference in their communities, but they can inspire global change!” The team created flyers and placed the list of supplies on the school’s website. Even, the technology committee joined the project as “digital story-tellers.” They quickly produced a broadcast for the school’s television network and have developed a podcast!” Once information spread throughout the school, the team moved beyond the brick and mortar and brought all four schools in the district and the local community on board! Students coordinated drop off boxes with local churches, banks and stores, along with a community donation day at local retail chains on Friday, April 25th. “The community’s response has been wonderful. Everyone we approached said yes,” said Kasey Kenyon, a fifth grade student.  On April 26, the students will meet back at the school to split up the supplies and repackage them into individual student packs. Sgt. Cagle and his platoon are helping to coordinate the distribution of the school supplies to children in Iraq. The sense of satisfaction for the students who are planning and participating in the service project is enlightening. “Sometimes I think I have it bad, then I think of them and it makes me feel like I have it made,” said Molly Fleming, a fifth grade student. “The project gives us a chance to bring two different schools together focusing on the kids, not their differences,” said Kenyon. “It makes me feel good for giving back to students who don’t have as good of a school as mine,” said Abby Eaton, a fifth grade student. “I feel truly blessed to work with these students. It blows my mind to think of what the future holds for them,” said Debbie Hughes, Lincoln Elementary School Counselor. Organized by Youth Service America, Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is the largest service event in the world. Millions of youth in the United States and around the world are planning community service projects and special events to celebrate GYSD. KCN encourages youth and adults in organizations and communities across the Commonwealth to partner and make a difference on this national service day. For more information about local events or to get involved, please contact: Linda Long, Kentucky Child Now’s Community Youth Development Coordinator at 502-227-7722 or visit Kentucky Child Now’s website at www.kychildnow.org. Kentucky Child Now, a visionary leader working proactively on statewide and grassroots levels, is committed to ensuring that each and every one of our youth experience the fundamental resources they need to succeed in life: 1) caring adults, 2) safe places, 3) a healthy start, 4) marketable skills, and 5) opportunities to serve...The Five Promises of America's Promise. For more information visit, www.kychildnow.org. A program of Youth Service America, Global Youth Service is the largest youth service event in the world. Global Youth Service Day is a year-round effort to expand the impact of the youth service movement. The initiative launches new service organizations, policy changes, and sustainable service programs to create a culture of engaged youth. State Farm Companies Foundation is the presenting sponsor. More than 120 national partners and 75 lead agencies throughout the United States organize campaigns. Overseas, national lead agencies in more than 100 countries participate. About State Farm:  State Farm® insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 68,000 employees serve over 75 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and more than 1.7 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 31 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®. Youth Service America is an international nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations in more than 100 countries and is committed to increasing the quality and quantity of volunteer opportunities for young people ages 5-25, to serve locally, nationally, and globally. Founded in 1986, Youth Service America’s mission is to expand the impact of the youth service movement with communities, schools, corporations, and governments. For more information: www.YSA.org. # # # Media Contact:    Carolyn Hudman, Marketing Coordinator Kentucky Child Now 502-227-7722                     carolynhudman at kychildnow.org
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