Five fourth-grade boys at Logan Avenue School have seen something that needs to be done and have decided to do something about it.
The boys, under the direction of Carla Fessler, have formed a “Do Something” Club, an organization with clubs located across the United States. Members are Tyrus Beam, Marcos Diaz, Devawn Mitchell, Charles Ramirez and Dylan Schlote.
“The boys felt that by forming a Logan Avenue Do Something Club, they could work together to make a difference in the lives of others, and make our home and school community a better place,” Fessler said.
To maintain membership, the club must complete two projects during the school year and submit photographs and synopses of the projects to the national organization.
They also must be positive role models for other students by displaying responsible and respectful behavior, she said.
The boys meet with Fessler each Tuesday to work on club business.
Choosing the first project brought an assortment of suggestions, including selling pencils and making cookies, the boys said.
Tyrus, who had taken copious notes at that meeting, added a clothing drive, park clean-up, art show and zoo helpers as some of the other options the boys discussed.
The group winnowed the suggestions down to a holiday toy drive.
“We’re doing this for the kids whose parents might not be able to get them things,” Dylan said.
The boys have put up posters and sent home notes to parents of the school’s 244 students to encourage them to bring new or near-new toys for the project.
The toys then will be given to a non-profit organization like the Salvation Army to distribute to children who may not receive toys for the holiday season.
Fessler said that a school district-sponsored toy repair class may be able to help the boys if some of the donations need refurbishing.
Although the letters and poster campaign began only on Monday, gifts already are beginning to come in, and the boys are encouraged their drive will be successful in making a change.
“It doesn’t have to be a big group,” said Tyrus. “It can be, like, five people.”
Other Emporians who want to donate to the boys’ project may bring toys to the school, at the corner of East Street and Logan Avenue.