Economy inspires school charity drive

In light of the current economic situation, Somerton Middle School is setting its sights on a charity drive to help local nonprofits and teach the value of community service to students.

Student council advisers Robin McNutt-Garcia and Anita Plaza held brainstorming sessions at the start of the school year on how to motivate students to participate in civic service organizations.

"We wanted to provide them with something to think about besides hair, makeup and MySpace," said McNutt-Garcia, an eighth-grade science teacher.

"There were a lot of e-mails about national charities who needed help, but we decided why not keep it local," said Plaza, the school nurse. "Since Robin is already a volunteer for the Humane Society of Yuma, we decided to go with them in September."

And by changing the focus of their charitable giving each month, students could get a broader concept of what needs there are in the whole community, McNutt-Garcia said. The Humane Society is excited about the school's volunteer efforts and has a wish-list on its Web page, www.hsoyuma.com, she said.

The idea is to have the Somerton Middle School student council encourage other students to bring to school items such as old towels, blankets, chew toys, canned pet food and cat litter. Also, they urge anybody in the area to drop off pet supplies or cash donations, if people can afford it. Since the school is centrally located, it is much easier for Somerton residents than making a trip to Yuma, Plaza noted.

Student body President Natalie Casillas, 13, said she likes the prospect of helping HSOY.

"It's really awesome. Instead of just concentrating on ourselves, we should help others. I have a soft spot for animals. I always cry when we take them home."
  Natalie has three dogs, a turtle and three cats, two of which she rescued from the street. Classmate and council secretary Clarissa Garcia, 13, also in eighth grade, said with eight dogs at home, she knows just how difficult it can be to care for pets.
  During October, the school will help Precious Treasures, whose community store has a little bit of everything from shoes to furniture, McNutt-Garcia said.
  "They said they needed grooming and school supplies like those little hotel bottles of shampoo, notebooks, pens and pencils. But they especially asked for warm clothes like coats, sweaters and gloves."
  For the clothing drive, Somerton Middle School will serve as the collection center and Plaza will keep records of all donated items, she said.
  "I think Precious Treasures has a lot of useful items," Clarissa said. "I look for bargains there for my family."
  Meanwhile, in November and December, the school will turn its efforts toward the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, where many of the students attend worship service. For this collection drive, students will donate nonperishable food items such as pasta, rice and cereal and deliver it to the church.
  Offering students the opportunity to give back to the community requires some planning and careful logistic coordination to pull off successfully, Plaza noted.
  "I'm extremely proud of these kids, their motivation and drive. And for Robin, it's her first year here and I'm very happy to work with her. She has some great ideas in store for the kids here."