By Nancy Gutierrez
Instead of spending all of their allowance on their own moms for Mother's Day some Wilson Middle School students decided to spend it on mothers in need.
Members of the Kids Who Care Club at Wilson bought bags full of baby bottles, blankets, powder, diapers, wipes and anything else a new mother would need, for a special donation to Kaweah Delta Hospital's maternity ward.
The Wilson Parent Teacher Organization also donated $200 for the project and teachers and staff donated what they could. Club advisor Susan Maday bought more items with the $200 from Target in Visalia, which also donated a $25 gift certificate towards the project.
"We got all new items so it would be special," Maday said.
The students filled 10 large gift bags with the gifts and club officers took them to Kaweah for those new mothers who may not have the money to buy all of the items needed for a new baby.
"I asked the charge nurse if it would take a few months to give all of the bags away and she said it would be more like two days," Maday said.
The Mother's Day Bags project was started in March. The students created a Mother's Day card to go along with the bags and decorated each gift with ribbon and tissue paper.
"I'm happy that we're getting to help people," Vanessa Quiroz said. "Not many kids get the chance to help other people."
The mission of the Kids Who Care Club is to give back to their community on many levels. The students themselves determine what community projects they would like to do, where they feel the greatest need is and how to accomplish their desired outcomes. The club's next project is purchasing and planting flowers around campus for open house on May 14. Maday also certified the club with the President's Service Award program. In 2003, President Bush created the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation to find ways to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in the nation. The student service award is a way to thank and honor young Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. After the students have completed 100 hours of community service they will receive a gold medal and certificate from the White House.
For more information on Kids Who Care call Wilson at 592-2144.
