Iredell-Statesville Schools School & Family Magazine February/March 2016 | страница 14

For Iredell Crosby Scholars, community
service is encouraged and required for every
program participant. With this year’s deadline
still weeks away, we have already had almost
200 students turn in almost 1,000 hours of
volunteered time. Students have given their
time with a variety of clubs, organizations,
and projects including Teen Court, Discovery
Place, Iredell Museums, Mooresville’s
Soup Kitchen, Balloonfest, and at churches
countywide. More than 100 scholars got
together during the holiday season to write
cards for local veterans and residents of some
local assisted living facilities.
One Crosby Scholar from West Iredell
High School, has initiated a project and is
seeking help from the community to bring it to
life. Here’s her story.
My name is Rosalyn Wilkinson, and I’m
a sophomore at West Iredell High School. I’m
here to tell you about Bears for Soldiers or
BFS. BFS is the product of conversations with
several teachers and the JROTC department
who knew my passion for helping others. The
excitement began!
First Sergeant said that the children
native to the area where soldiers are stationed
really enjoy soccer balls and basketballs. If
they were deflated, the soldiers could blow
them up and send them out for the kids. There
was only one problem with the soccer balls,
when they get deflated the children would have
no way to pump air back into them.
A beanie baby can be for both boys and
girls, which is why a beanie baby is better for
the children. Since I got their approval, I then
went to our principal, Mr. Palmer, to ask if we
could do this project. Mr. Palmer agreed. So
with that, my mom and I got to work, calling
business owners and making posters.
The goal for BFS is to help soldiers
gain the trust of the children and adults. If
the children see that the soldiers are good
12 Iredell-Statesville School & Family

guys, it can help save lives. There is a simple
trust bond made over a stuffed animal. If a
dangerous situation is happening, then there
won’t be any children around. This can serve
as a warning to the soldiers. Proverbs 3:27
says this: “Do not withhold good from those
to whom it is due, when it is in your power to
do it.” We have the power to help the children;
let’s take advantage of that.
Through this, I learned that this wasn’t
just about me and a scholarship. It is about
helping more people than just myself. I am a
small dot, but I want to make a big difference
in someone’s life. If you would like to donate a
small beanie baby or small stuffed animal that
would be great. Donations can be new or used,
but not abused.
For drop-off locations please go to www.
makegodthe1stpriority.weebly.com.
With everyone’s help we can make a difference.