Print-Friendly Version |
COMMUNITY HERO:
CHELSEY BARRIOS
|
High School Students Collect
Students from one Connecticut high school collected an astounding 4,179 new and gently used books for children in need throughout the state. The books went to Read to Grow, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is “to give children a good start in life by educating parents about the important role they play in their child’s language and literacy development.” In turn Read to Grow distributes them to families with the hope of putting a book in every Connecticut child’s hand. Organized by high school junior Chelsey Barrios, this book drive is one of many for Read to Grow, but it is the biggest single school book drive benefiting Read to Grow and its literacy programs in the organization’s 10-year history. Chelsey was familiar with Read to Grow because her older sister, Emily, had collected books for the organization before graduating high school. She thought she could appeal to her classmates’ spirit of competition as well as to their spirit of public service by inviting them to round up gently used children’s books for a prize. Enlisting the help of friend and classmate Kirsten Jerzyk and the school’s Peer Advocates group, they placed attractively decorated collection boxes in 60 classrooms throughout the school. Taffy Bowes, acting as an advisor, helped the girls obtain the necessary approvals to run the drive and to offer the prize. “We had no idea it would be quite as successful as it was. The teachers really got into it and then got the kids into it,” says Barrios. “This shows you can definitely make a difference. If you take the initiative, you can get things done.” In addition to the book drive, Barrios is also very active in other community service projects.
The winning classroom collected 667 books and received a catered breakfast. Several other classes collected hundreds of books. The real winners, though, are the numerous Connecticut children who will receive the books through their schools, community centers and health facilities thanks to all those involved with the book drive.
|
|
|
|
Read to Grow, a statewide nonprofit organization based in Branford, CT, is dedicated to improving early literacy in Connecticut by providing books for children and encouraging parents, as their child’s first teacher, to read to their baby right from birth. Read to Grow gives a new book to every newborn in our seven partner hospitals, reaching more than 40 percent of all babies born in the state, and makes free new and gently used books available to children through middle school age. Read to Grow has distributed more than 350,000 books since the organization began 10 years ago. Learn more by visiting their website: www.readtogrow.org |
 |  |  |  |
| 'No Butts' Measure Inspired by Ingenious Woodbridge Siblings | A Powerful Noise promotes the global empowerment of women | Alex Hill helped to bring medical supplies to a Ugandan village. | Alice Baum and her husband Don Burnes left behind their careers to help the homeless. |
 |  |  |  |
| Ana Dodson formed Peruvian Hearts to provide Peruvian orphans an education. | Andrew E. Lieberman works to preserve indigenous languages and cultures. | Andrew Greene Jr. of Sierra Leone teaches the world about peace. | Angela Brooks is an architect who works to create sustainable and affordable housing. |
 |  |  |  |
| Anthony Dale Leanna donates 'Heavenly Hats' to cancer patients under treatment. | Art Miles Mural Project uses art to create a more peaceful global community. | Ashley Rhodes-Courter is an advocate for foster children and adoption rights. | Azie Morton valued education and gave back to her community. |
 |  |  |  |
| Blake Mycoskie founded TOMS Shoes to bring shoes to children who don't have them | Brandon Keefe provides books to underfunded libraries in his hometown. | Bunker Roy has dedicated his life to improving the lives of the rural poor in India. | Canal Futura is a Brazilian television channel which provides access to education. |
 |  |  |  |
| Chelsey Barrios and her peers collected thousands of books to give to Read to Grow. | Chi Nguyen was honored for helping street children in Vietnam. | Chief Wilma Mankiller was the first woman to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. | Child's Play Touring Theater performs worldwide works written by kids. |
 |  |  |  |
| Christian Bryan Alexander Harvey visits schools to talk about social justice and how to stop bullying. | Clotilde Dedecker provides educational opportunities for girls in Afghanistan. | Coluche is a French humorist who created an organization to feed the poor | Dana Reeve was an actress and advocate for the disabled. She was the heroic wife of Christopher Reeve. |
 |  |  |  |
| Dave Congdon is a Special Olympics athlete and an inspiration to many facing barriers and difficult times. | Dennis Ryan Lawrence and Tara Ann Lawrence raise funds to fight cancer. | Detective Luis Rosa is a hero because he volunteers to make the lives of people with disabilities better. | Devin VanCleave was the Ambassador for a campaign to collect toys for children's hospitals. |
 |  |  |  |
| Diane Challis Davy directs the Laguna Beach Pageant of the Masters. | Divine Bradley: Team Revolution encourages kids to become involved in their communities and become leaders. | Dr. Ed Gragert works towards peace and global education. | Dr. Ella Mae Piper helped young people and the elderly in her community of Fort Myers. |
 |  |  |  |
| Dr. Felton Earls treats communities through his work. | Dr. Fred Barnett is a wise and compassionate pediatrician known for his caring ways. | Dr. Govindappa Venkataswamy cares for the eyes of millions of people in India. | Dr. Madan Kataria has started a revolution of joy and laughter that is spreading around the world. |
 |  |  |  |
| Ed Grant is passionate about helping others better their lives. | Elizabeth Glaser was a community AIDS activist. | Engineers Without Borders are working to change the world. | Eric Samuel established Community Food Enterprise to reduce food poverty in East London. |
 |  |  |  |
| Eunice Kennedy Shriver dedicated her life to raising awareness and creating opportunities for the intellectually disabled. | FilmAid International educates, informs and to brings hope and joy to thousands of refugees. | Fred Batley gives young and aspiring actors and actresses a chance to shine. | Friends of the Sea Lion rescue, treat, and release these mammals back into the ocean. |
 |  |  |  |
| Geoffrey Canada is committed to enriching the livelihood and future of Harlem's children. | Girls for Gender Equity, Inc. encourages girls to live self-determined and healthy lives and to contribute to their community. | Global Kids Leaders volunteer to help their schools and communities. | Greg Mortenson persevered to build a school in a remote village in Pakistan. |
 |  |  |  |
| Heather DeWitt is a devoted conservationist. | Hector Morales teaches students to be self-sufficient environmentalists. | iEARN connects the globe through technology. | INSIDEOUT WRITERS D'nA eBus Project bring tools of expression to juvenille hall. |
 |  |  |  |
| J.A. and Geraldine Reynolds Founded 'Bruce's Garden' in NYC which honors Bruce, a victim of 9/11. | Jack Sim has started a worldwide campaign for clean public toilets and better sanitation standards. | Jacob Komar and Computers for Communities refurbishes computers and helps inner city residents obtain IT skills. | Jennifer Staple: Unite for Sight works to improve eye health and eliminate preventable blindness worldwide. |
 |  |  |  |
| Jessie Christopherson helps the physically and mentally challenged accomplish things they never thought possible. | Jože Plečnik was an architect from Slovenia who made his community beautiful. | Joe Brown gave up his ocean front home and created a park for everyone. | John Tighe inspired his neighbor with his big heart and the way he cared for people in their community. |
 |  |  |  |
| Josee Sutton helps girls learn to read and is a caring role model to those in her girl scout troup. | Joseph Marcel Shook Jr. is a compassionate community leader and a hero to his son, Joseph. | Judge Michael Tynan works for Homeless Court. | Karen Tse is an attorney dedicated to ensuring basic legal rights for Asian citizens. |
 |  |  |  |
| Kathryn Cunningham founded the nonprofit “Power Up Gambia” to provide solar energy to the hospitals and clinics. | Katie Simon founded Minga to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of young children. | Kimmie Weeks survived the war in Liberia and now works to rebuild communities in war-torn countries. | Kjerstin Erickson and Forge help refugees in Africa achieve economic self-sufficiency and empowerment through education. |
 |  |  |  |
| L'Abbe Pierre devoted his life to helping the poor and homeless in France. | Lee Myung-Bak is responsible for making Seoul, South Korea 'cleaner and greener' during his tenure as mayor. | Lisa Markham is a passionate and committed volunteer to the Special Olympics. | Ludomática offers technology and creative learning to disadvantaged Colombian youth |
 |  |  |  |
| Lyndon Harris: People Making a Difference founded The Gardens of Forgiveness Project. | Magic Johnson inspires others with his basketball talents and philanthropic work. | Malika Sanders was born into the Civil Rights Movement and continues work today. | Marcia Levitas co-founded an art endeavor which raises funds for cancer research and education. |
 |  |  |  |
| Mary Lou Naso & Harry visit hospitals to spread smiles. | Maura Welch was recognized by NetAid for her work to spread awareness about child labor. | Maxine Waters is a Congresswoman who works fervently for her community. | Millard and Linda Fuller founded Habitat for Humanity. |
 |  |  |  |
| Mister Rogers television host, teacher and kindly neighbor to generations of children | MIT Open Courseware Project makes education accessible worldwide by offering free MIT courseware online. | Mory Sanberg makes bag lunches for the homeless people in her city. | Muhammad Yunus started a bank for poor people in Bangladesh. |
 |  |  |  |
| Nicole Dewing and Curtis McCormack joined the Peace Corps and started a waste recycling project in Joal, Senegal. | OPEN VISION YOUTH PROJECT strives to provide technology to students in Uganda. | Our Hero Barack Obama instills inner city youth with confidence to get involved and make a difference. | Pam Smith-Rodden helped turn a dream into a reality for an author and a community. |
 |  |  |  |
| Park, Won-Soon advocates a stronger Democracy for South Korea. | Paul J. Adams III is a passionate educator who built a nationally renowned prep school for African American students. | Pete Carroll is a successful coach who founded A Better LA to help gang members live a better life and plug into their communities. | PovertyFighters.com provide loans to needy families so they can open small businesses. |
 |  |  |  |
| Puppies Behind Bars benefits both inmates and dogs. | Queen Noor passionately works for peace, human rights, and wildlife conservation. | Queen Rania of Jordan is a crusader for the rights of women and children. | Ralf Hotchkiss is an engineer, inventor and humanitarian, and the founder of Whirlwind Wheelchair International. |
 |  |  |  |
| Ramani Sankaranarayanan and Geeta Vaidyanathan founded CTxGrEn to show villagers how to turn native materials into fuel for electricity. | Ravi Gulati has created learning centers for children with special needs in India. | Richard Avery is a beloved Scoutsmaster who has volunteered at home and overseas. | Roberto Saviano wrote a best selling book denouncing organized crime. |
 |  |  |  |
| Robin Opperman empowers the special needs individuals in his community and throughout South Africa | Rose Marie Thomas donated time and effort to combatting childhood catastrophic diseases. | Rosemarie L. Poeppelman is a foster mom and an adoptive parent who has changed the lives of many children. | Ruth DeGolia: Mercado Global works to help poor communities that have seen the collapse of prices for their locally grown crops. |
 |  |  |  |
| Sabriye Tenberken helps to educate and better the lives of blind people living in Tibet. | Saeed Awan developed a new carpet loom that reduces child labor in Pakistan. | Samuel Mockbee is an architect and teacher who builds homes for the poor. | Sindhu Ravishankar created the Vivid Vision Project to provide accessible eye care to impoverished communities in India. |
 |  |  |  |
| Sister Margaret Scheetz founded Beatitude House for homeless women and children. | Skip Blumberg successfully campaigned against City Hall to re-open a section of historic City Hall Park in NYC. | Soedati Warsito Rasman is a motivated activist for Indonesia's needy. | Special Olympics Tennis: Love Regardless of the Score |
 |  |  |  |
| Studs Terkel The author who captured the stories of everyday people celebrates his 95th birthday. | Suzanne Mubarak works to ensure education for the children of Egypt and the world. | Tawera Nikau was a successful rugby player who overcame personal losses to help at-risk youth in his community. | Terram Foundation brings job growth, community involvement, and local solutions to larger environmental concerns. |
 |  |  |  |
| Thais Corral gives women a voice in their communities through access to communication technology. | The Community College Foundation eBus brings technology to underserved communities and schools. | The Daffodil Project , through the generosity of B&K Bulbs in the Netherlands, brought hope to NYC after 9/11. | The Heifer Organization works with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. |
 |  |  |  |
| The Train Guy ---- Eric Clemons reflects on how an anonymous hero helped shape his life. | The VH1 Save the Music Foundation is a hero to Libby for its dedication to keep music education in the public schools. | Tori Degen is a cancer survivor who helps others with MAKE A WISH Foundation | Valentina Mindoljevic is a science teacher who helped to provide aid to women and child refugees in Croatia. |
 |  |  |  |
| Van Jones has found an effective way of addressing environmentalism and social justice by linking both issues. | Vicky Colbert de Arboleda is a leader in the movement to transform education in Colombia to provide equal access to all children. | Vikas Khanna is a chef, restaurant owner, and humanitarian who uses food to bring together a global community. | Viola Vaughn founded an organization that supports girls working to achieve academic success in Africa. |
 | |||
| William Kamkwamba designed and built a windmill, at the age of 14, for his family in Malawi, Africa. |
Last changed on:7/31/2007 8:13:46 AM
|
