SAVVYkids | December 2020

Spirit of Giving pg 38 | A Real Go-Getter pg 40

ALL HAIL THE

QuaranKing

PHOTO BY BRIAN CHILSON

PHOTO BY BRIAN CHILSON

Ryan Taneja is committed to community.

A SEASON OF GIVING AT PCSSD

T

he holidays are a time of giving to those we love, but more importantly, to those in

need. Although the holiday season may look a little different this year thanks to COVID-19, the spirit of giving is still strong within the Pulaski County Special School District. PCSSD takes time to get into the holiday spirit each year by giving back to our PCSSD families.

The Giving Tree is an annual special project sponsored by the Equity and Pupil Service information about the families, such as age, grade, Department to spread some holiday cheer across gender, clothing size, and a special toy or item. our central Arkansas community. The department Each family, along with their needs, are put on has been granting holiday wishes for our district a tree at Central Office. Departments are asked families for more than a decade! to “adopt” a family for the holiday season. This “At PCSSD, we understand the importance includes both gifts and necessities for the children, of giving back to our community and assisting as well as other needs the family may have. families whenever and however we can,” said Dr. “PCSSD Central Office employees continue to John McCraney, coordinator of equity initiative and mentoring. “Needs during the holiday season, especially as we all navigate COVID-19, may vary from family to family. We want to make sure we are

show their kind hearts each holiday season,” said Dr. McCraney.”This program has been successful for more than a decade now because of our general Central Office staff. We look forward to continuing

assisting families in ways they need help.” the Giving Tree as an opportunity to give back.

Annually, the Equity and Pupil Service We will also continue to find new initiatives and Department identifies six schools within the programs to support our families, especially as we District. Administrators at those schools select all navigate through this COVID-19 pandemic.” one family to be “adopted” by a Central Office At PCSSD, we hope you have a wonderful, healthy, department. School administrators provide basic and safe holiday season!

ABOUT PCSSD Pulaski County Special School District spans more than 600 square miles in central Arkansas and requires highly skilled and passionate personnel to adapt educational policies and personalization to 25 schools. Every school is accredited by the Arkansas State Board of Education. PCSSD has served schools across Pulaski County

pcssd.org 501.234.2000

since July 1927.

PCSSD is committed to creating a nationally recognized school district that assures that all students achieve at their maximum potential through collaborative, supportive and continuous efforts of all stakeholders.

Getting the family into the SPIRIT OF GIVING

BY KATHERINE WYRICK

T

he holidays are a great time to get into the spirit of giving, and it’s never too early to encourage an appreciation for volunteering in kids. Not only does it teach tolerance, kindness, respect for others and leadership skills, volunteering at an early age can create positive life behaviors. According to the national service program AmeriCorps, kids who volunteer are “50% less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or engage in destructive behavior.”

While many on-site volunteer opportunities have been suspended because of the pandemic, the need for help is greater than ever, and kids can take part in making that happen. Here are some safe ways the family can involved this season:

BE A SECRET SANTA Even in the midst of the restrictions that come with COVID-19, Methodist Family Health remains committed to its mission of providing care to those in need. This means making sure the kids and teens in their programs have gifts to open on Christmas morning.

Methodist Family Health anticipates the need will be even greater this year because of the financial hardships many families are facing.

This Christmas, there are several easy ways to be a Secret Santa. New this year are digital wish lists and virtual gift-giving: You can select a client online, see what items they would like, purchase and ship directly to Methodist Family Health. To see the wish lists and ways to shop online, visit MethodistFamily.org/MFHSecretSanta.html.

If, however, you’d like for the nonprofit to do the shopping for you, donate to the Christmas Gift Fund at MethodistFamily.org/donate.

If you prefer to shop for just the right gifts yourself, Methodist Family Health will accept them at its facility (with all health and safety protocols in place).

The deadline is Dec. 11 so ho-ho-hop to it! (Gift wrapping help may also be needed.)

For more information, contact Amy Shores, director of pastoral care, at ashores@methodistfamily.org or 501-733-7870.

MAKE HOLIDAY CARDS Although CareLink is not able to accept volunteers at the moment, there are still ways to contribute.

Meredith Hale, director of development, said that when the agency is able to welcome volunteers back, “our greatest need will be with Meals on Wheels. That need will be greater whenever we bring them back because we don’t know just how many volunteers will feel comfortable when that time comes.”

In the meantime, families can make cards for CareLink to deliver to home care clients or meals recipients. “Something as simple as a handwritten card for an older neighbor or loved one makes such a difference,” Hale said. “Another thing families can do that has nothing to do with CareLink specifically but helps seniors is to reach out to older neighbors or

family members and see if they need help. With winter approaching, mowing the grass is almost done for a few months, but someone might still need help with yardwork.”

Hale also noted that she’s seeing an increased demand among older people for cleaning supplies, general personal care items (like toothbrushes, toothpaste, incontinence supplies, etc.) and even help purchasing groceries.

“These are some items that people can donate if that’s the route they prefer to take! They would be used by our Urgent Needs program as the requests come in,” she said.

DECORATE A GINGERBREAD HOUSE The annual Gingerbread Extravaganza that benefits Treatment Homes will be held virtually this year on Dec. 13. The event will include the Holiday Coloring Contest, the Gingerbread House Decorating Contest and the sales of the gingerbread house kits. Check treatmenthomes.org for details.

ADOPT A FAMILY AND STUFF STOCKINGS Ben Goodwin, executive director of Our House, said that during this time, “The best things kids can do to help right now are off-site. ... For example, The National Charity League, a mother/daughter volunteer club, made masks and Halloween gift bags. In the past, scout troops and school groups have helped us. ... A class at Forest Park [Elementary School] created a small business and donated the proceeds. That’s a classic way for kids to help a nonprofit.” One enterprising kid, now a young adult, started a garden at age 12 and, until he graduated from high school, sold his produce at a farmers market and donated the proceeds to Our House.

As for offering help during the holidays, Goodwin said, “The thing that helps us most around the holidays is our in-kind donation drives for family Christmas presents and things we need in our programs: ... Our Adopt-aFamily program means a lot to our families, and this year it’s particularly important to give families a sense of normalcy.”

The Adopt-A-Family program fulfills wish lists for 200 families receiving services from Our House with gifts of $100 per individual family member ($400 for a family of four, for example). Families’ wish lists are now available. All gifts must be returned to Our House by Dec. 19. (Adopt-AFamily items focus on families’ “want” items.)

Contact Jaela at jaela.hilliard@ourhouseshelter.org or at 501-374-7383, ext. 181, for more information or to be assigned a family.

Other ways to help: * Our House’s Stocking Stuffer program. You can have a significant impact by fulfilling the wish list of a stocking. Each stocking includes high priority needs as well as holiday gifts. Stockings are available in $50, $100, $250 and $500 increments and are available at Our House’s Resale Store at 4653 JFK Blvd. or by email request. Drop off the wish list items that you purchase during one of the Holiday Drop Off dates (masks required).

Contact Kailey at kailey.broadway@ourhouseshelter.org or at 501-3747383, ext. 214, for more information or to receive a stocking. * Our House’s Winter Needs Drive. This program helps the nonprofit meet its year-round needs campus-wide as well as providing essential items to clients like linens, coats, socks and more. You can participate for as little as $5. Contact Jaela at jaela.hilliard@ourhouseshelter.org or at 501-374-7383, ext. 181, for more information. * You can also provide a warm meal to shelter residents this holiday season. Providers plan, purchase, prepare and serve meals to the shelter residents. It could cost as little as $150. Contact Sharon at meals@ ourhouseshelter.org or at 501-374-7383, ext. 153, for more information.

For donation drop-off dates and more information visit: ourhouseshelter.org/holidays.

KNIT A SNOWMAN HAT AND GIVE TOYS Though its junior volunteering program has been put on hold under further notice, Arkansas Children’s Hospital still has a number of ways to get involved: * On Friday, Dec. 11, drop off toys and donations at one of 10 statewide locations and tune in to the Festival of Stars Radiothon from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. on KLAL-FM,107.7 (Alice); KURB-FM, 98.5; or your local Cumulus station to hear stories from families whose lives have been impacted by ACH. To make a donation to the radiothon, call 501-907-5437 (KIDS) or 1-888-771-5437 (KIDS). Find more information at archildrens.org/festival. * Knitting for Noggins. Knit or crochet hats for children of all ages through the Knitting for Noggins program. A tiny snowman hat would be so sweet for this season! (Find that pattern and others on the ACH website.) * Shop wish lists. Shop ACH’s Wish List on Amazon and Registries for Good at Walmart and have gifts sent directly, or use ACH’s shopping list to purchase toys at your favorite stores. For more information, go to archildrens.org/support-us/ volunteer-engagement/donatingtoys-and-gifts or contact Rhonda McBain at mcbainra@ archildrens.org or 501-364-1473 or Emily Mitchell at mitchellem@ archildrens.org or 501-364-1476.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Arkansas Children’s COVID-19 safety guidelines will be followed at all curbside drop-off locations.

ACH asks that you stay in your vehicle and wear a mask during donation drop off.

SAVVY kids PUBLISHER BROOKE WALLACE | brooke@arktimes.com

EDITOR KATHERINE WYRICK | katherinewyrick@arktimes.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE LESA THOMAS ART DIRECTOR KATIE HASSELL

STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 Wear your mask in any PCSSD building or bus Follow physical distancing practices whenever possible Stay home if you do not feel well Avoid large group activities

A REAL GO-GETTER ...

AND GIVER

A Benton teenager is committed to community.

BY KATHERINE WYRICK PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN CHILSON

W

hile many of us have experienced weight gain and felt a need to withdraw during the pandemic, 19-year-old Ryan Taneja, a freshman in the University of Central Arkansas’s Honors College, has chosen a different path — and laced up his running shoes to follow it.

Early on in quarantine, Ryan decided to prioritize his health. His reasons were two-fold. He wanted to be able to keep up with his young niece and set a good example for her, and he wanted to be able to fight for the causes he cares about and give back to the community he loves.

“It was also an important time for me to reflect,” Ryan said. “To figure out who I was and how I needed to change. ... I’ve always worked to disprove any limitations others put on me, whether it’s being the big kid or a minority.” With the support of his close-knit family, he committed to a rigorous exercise program and healthy eating, allowing himself the occasional ice cream sandwich or one of his mom’s home-cooked Indian meals. Thanks to diet and his running program, he lost 60 pounds.

But this driven, enterprising teen hit the ground running in other respects: “COVID robbed [high school] seniors of so many moments,” Ryan said, “and I was like, ‘I’m not giving up without a fight.’ ” He petitioned Benton High School to hold a socially distant graduation and got one. (He graduated summa cum laude.) He also rented a Tesla for his best friend, Savannah Crotts, for their senior parade so they could have a stylish send-off.

Then came what might be called Ryan’s crowning achievement. As a response to proms and graduations being canceled nationwide, Sonic and Instagram hosted a search to crown a QuaranKing and QuaranQueen, asking entrants to get prom-ready and share their photos. “I entered at the last minute,” Ryan said, laughing. “I just thought it would be fun for us to have a little prom at Sonic, because Savannah and I would go there every week to eat cheddar peppers and just chill out and vibe. It was kind of our hangout.” He decorated their cars, put on his prom best, and surprised her. ”Next thing you know, a couple of days later we were both finalists,” he said. Soon after, with family and community rallying around them, Ryan won the national title of QuaranKing and $25,000 towards his dream car, and Savannah became a QuaranQueen finalist. His mom woke him up with the news: “Good morning, King!”

What started out as a lark (and maybe a way to get a life-time supply of cheddar peppers?) became a way for Ryan to better the community at large. He used the publicity to help a population in dire need: victims of domestic violence. His initiative, called “The Mini Taneja Purple Initiative,” named after his mom, partners with local businesses to raise funds for Saline County Safe Haven. “I was raised by women and have the utmost respect for them. … I knew I wanted to do something to empower women,” Ryan said. The fundraiser couldn’t have come at a better time, as domestic violence is on the rise due to the pandemic. “We all have points in our life when we struggle, but it’s up to us as individuals and as a community to lift each other up,” he said.

Ryan comes by his generosity of spirit naturally and sees giving back as both a personal responsibility and a mission. Both of his parents were civicminded and involved in Benton. His late father housed and fed Katrina

RYAN WAS PARTICIPATING IN NO-SHAVE NOVEMBER TO RAISE MONEY FOR HIS INITIATIVE WHEN THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN, HENCE THE SCRUFFINESS.

victims when the Red Cross could not, and his mom has always lent a hand to women in crisis. “I have an amazing family. ... When they immigrated from India and became citizens, they always gave, even when they didn’t necessarily have the means to do so.” His nickname for his mom is “Rosie,” as in “Rosie the Riveter.” “My mom is a force to be reckoned with,” he said with admiration in his voice. “She may be short, but she’s a short woman with a lot of power!” He also calls her his rock and best friend.

Ryan, who belonged to over 20 clubs in high school, is equally active at college. At UCA, he joined a fraternity, in part to help grow his initiatives, but also to upend the frat guy stereotype. He quickly became philanthropy chair at Phi Gamma Delta and got involved in many other clubs. “I want to make an impact in multiple areas and reach a diverse group of people. ... I hope to be a role model for minorities and men,” he said.

Asked what he would tell his peers about getting involved in community service, he was quick to answer: “I always say, ‘It just takes one.’ My family taught me that. You don’t have to do all the things. … It’s about the impact you make on one person. … You can’t eat an elephant in one bite. You have to take one small bite at a time.” And that’s just what he’s doing — with a Limeade on the side.

Heartache Christmas

If your children or family are having behavioral or emotional problems around COVID-19, call Methodist Family Health today.

• Inpatient, outpatient, school-based and residential treatment • Available statewide for children 3-17 • Most health insurance accepted • Telehealth or in-person with all health and safety protocols • Call 501-803-3388 for Admissions and After-hours

MethodistFamily.org • Info@MethodistFamily.org