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More should follow kids' cue in helping

What could tug the heartstrings more than children who have had a hard life reaching out to help people they feel are suffering more? A recent St. Petersburg Times story told the history of Kids Who Care, a group of nine children with a desire to help homeless people.

They know what it feels like to have no home. Most of the Kids Who Care have been homeless in the past, and they remember that charitable people helped them survive that trauma.

"Just like other people thought about our needs, we should do the same back," said Aquilah Scott, the 11-year-old vice president of the group.

The little group, which is eager to recruit more members between the ages of 8 and 17, has found it has the power to help. Under the sponsorship of the Homeless Emergency Project in Clearwater - a program in which the children participated as either clients or volunteers - seven of the children went through a national youth philanthropy course called Learning to Give. The course is designed to teach children the values of giving to others.

The children learned the lesson well. They organized their club, elected officers, scheduled weekly meetings in Clearwater, and set annual dues at $20 each. They have already used a portion of their dues to buy 20 daily bus passes for homeless people who come to the Homeless Emergency Project for help. As Christmas approaches, the children are organizing a hip-hop dance at the HEP Community Center Jan. 5 to raise money to provide dental care to homeless people.

These children have a beautiful spirit that can be an example for other youth groups and adults, too, and not just during the holidays.

Charities throughout the Tampa Bay area are pleading for help from people able to give. The ranks of the needy are growing in our society as the cost of living rises but incomes don't.

Prior to Thanksgiving, news reports chronicled the empty shelves at area food pantries. Donations of money are down, too, so charities that distribute emergency funds to people to buy gasoline or pay their electric bills aren't able to help as many people. Meanwhile, shelters that provide temporary housing for the homeless are packed, with attendant higher costs for serving the growing shelter populations.

Costs are rising for everyone, so those who have a little extra to give are especially important right now. Those who don't have money but do have time could contribute some volunteer hours to a soup kitchen or shelter.

People who want to help will find the path ahead of them lighted by Kids Who Care.

Correction

Airco Golf Course is open for business while the county awaits a study of the course's future. A Nov. 29 editorial was incorrect on that point.

[Last modified December 6, 2006, 07:00:32]