Feature
thebreezeonline.com | Jan. 30, 2012
Student volunteer seeks support for K.I.D.S. nglish major Renee Romero volunteers her own time to help raise awareness for a nonprofit organization called K.I.D.S. K.I.D.S., which stands for Kids In Distressed Situations, was founded in 1985 and has provided over $1 billion worth of products such as toys, clothes, baby products and books. The agency has provided goods to more than 67 million kids and families that have been challenged by poverty, military family service, major illness, incarcerated family members and disaster survivors. Donations are distributed through 1,000 different local social service community agencies. It is a tax-exempt, charitable organization that has been listed in Forbes 200 top charities. Romero first became involved with K.I.D.S. last spring when she and her friends decided to hold a car wash to support children devastated by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The K.I.D.S. organization supported the effort with fliers and brochures. “They truly support you in all your endeavors and help you know that your contributions are appreciated,” Romero said. The car wash raised $500, which resulted in K.I.D.S. donating $5,000 worth of product to the children suffering in the
wake of the Japanese disaster. Romero has since become a campus ambassador for K.I.D.S., and has given presentations to two campus clubs: Phi Theta Kappa and the Multicultural Club. “I have the support of Phi Theta Kappa and am hoping that the Multicultural Club decides to work with K.I.D.S. in their community service efforts,” she said. “Even if they do not at this time, I am glad that some students were interested.” Romero said that her motivation to become involved stems from the fact that she has so much and others do not. “While I complain about homework there are people who can only dream of going to school,” she said. “A large number of these people are children who cannot help themselves. I have so much and I want to give something back to those who have so little.” She knows she is not alone. “Most of us just don’t know where to start or how to help. K.I.D.S. gives so much support to anyone who wants to help make the world a better place,” she said. “I want to spread the word about what they are doing because then people will have a charity to donate to, or a place to turn their ideas into action.” For more information, contact Romero at Renee.Supp@yahoo.com, or contact the current K.I.D.S. development manager at cmorais@kidsdonations.org.
Pile Memorial Scholarship; ASCC Outstanding Differently Abled Scholarship; and ASCC Bea Rose Teaching Scholarship. And, ASCC Karma Miller Scholarship; ASCC Outstanding Student Veteran; Outstanding International Student;
ASCC Outstanding Transfer Student; ASCC Outstanding Graduate Scholarship; ASCC Dr. Henry Shannon Presidential Scholarship; and ASCC/Student Activities Valedictorian Scholarship. Remember the deadline is March 26 at 2 p.m.
SHANTE AKINS
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JOE WORRELL
English major Renee Romero informs her peers about a non-profit organization called K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed Situations) at the International Club’s first meeting of the semester on Jan. 25 in room HS-108. Renee has been involved with K.I.D.S. since spring of 2011 when she participated in a car wash to raise money for Japan. K.I.D.S. matched every $100 raised with a $1,000 bringing the total donated to $5,000.
Twentieth Annual Scholarship Program accepting applications
GUADALUPE ALATORRE
S
tudents looking for a way to obtain money for school need look now farther than the Student Activities
office. The Twentieth Annual Scholarship Program is now accepting applications. The program is offering 27 different varieties of scholarships and a total of $100,000 will be awarded in 2012. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $1,000 this year. Scholarship applicants are required to submit a typed essay about their qualifications for the individual awards. Each category requires a grade-point average minimum, specific unit requirements and letters of recommendation. All applications will be reviewed by a 12-member faculty scholarship committee. Student Activities Director Susan Stewart said that the committee, headed by chairperson, Dr. Decker Hodge, English professor, wants to open the scholarships process to all students. “The program can be defined as incredible and fair,” Stewart said. Applications became available Jan. 17. The committee suggests that when students write their essay they spend time on it and really think of what is being asked in the application. The writing center will be holding
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workshops to learn strategies for writing the application. Workshops will be available mornings and evenings. The next workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 12:30 p.m. The schedule also includes: • Tuesday, March 1 at 11 a.m. • Monday, March 5 at 9 a.m. • Wednesday, March 7 at 5 p.m. • Thursday, March 8 at 3:30 p.m. • Tuesday, March 13 at 5 p.m. • Wednesday, March 14 at 12:30 p.m. • Wednesday, March 14 and 4:30 p.m. Applications are available online at www.Chaffey.edu/scholarships, or students can pick up a hard copy at the Student Activities Office. Scholarship categories include Overcoming Obstacles; Keys to Success; What Chaffey Has Taught Me; Educational Reflection; Making Chaffey a Better Place; Shining Star; Inspirational Student; Exemplary Community Service; and Outstanding First Generation College Student. Other categories include Outstanding Occupational/Vocational Scholarship; Outstanding ESL Student; ASCC Promising New Student; ASCC Outstanding Early Morning or Evening Student; and Outstanding Parent. Others include ASCC Outstanding Working Student; ASCC Most Academically Improved Student; ASCC Outstanding Re-Entry Student; ASCC Bob
Book Drive for Juniper Elementary
KELSEY OGLE
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tudent Activities is holding a book drive to benefit Juniper Elementary School in Fontana. The goal of the book drive is to collect brand-new books for children in kindergarten through fifth grade (ages 5-11). About 600 students are enrolled at Juniper and while the drive has already received nearly 150 books, about 450 more are needed to be able give one book to each student. Distribution of the books collected will occur on world-famous children’s book author Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Chaffey staff and students will take the books to Juniper Elementary, read to the children and then distribute the books to each child, one at a time. Actually, the author the Dr. Seuss books, Theodor Geisel, was born on March 2, 1904. The books will be presorted, which ensures that every child receives an age- and reading level-appropriate book to enjoy, and one that will be likely match the individual child’s interests. In other words, it is guaranteed, for example, that a boy in fifth grade will not be given a book about princesses meant for a girl in second grade. Student Activities Director Susan Stewart, who has participated in book drives for elementary schools for several years, says that it’s a wonderful experience to see how thrilled the students are to receive brand-new books. “Kids get excited by books,” she said. “I know we’re in a high-tech digital age, but little kids still get really excited about new books.” She stressed that used books will not be accepted as donations for this event. The book drive for Juniper Elementary is for brand-new books only. The deadline to donate is Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m.
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