Governors and Children Unite for 2nd Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
Dallas, TX, August 27, 2007 --(PR.com)-- A nationwide commemoration of the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina began in Tennessee August, 13 as Governor Phil Bredesen met with seventh grade student Maddie L. of Nashville and even more states will join in remembrance on the August 29 anniversary.
The meeting between students and heads of state are part of a nationwide project sponsored by RandomKid, a non-profit that helps kids help others, which asked students to design an "accessory" to be given to their state officials made by linking house-shaped key chains together, forming such things as ties, belts and suspenders. The key chains were designed by students in Iowa and sold across the nation to raise money for rebuilding charities in the Gulf Coast region.
In Wyoming students sold flower seed packets to raise money for those affected by Katrina and have decided to use their key chains to decorate a flower pot. In Idaho fourth grader Samady D. will create a picture frame for Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter. While English is her second language, Samady knows that helping others has no language barrier and said she is glad she is able to help others.
Kentucky students Celia R. and Tres B. have created a leash for the state’s much loved "first dog" Abby, a West Highland Terrier. Believing that Abby is scheduled to be elsewhere the day of the event, Celia offered to bring a stuffed animal named Daffodil that looks much like Abby. However, schedulers have planned to surprise both students by having Abby make an appearance to meet them.
Despite much tragedy within his own state, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will meet with ninth grader Sam R. on September 4 in honor of the anniversary. "When the floods hit our state right after the bridge collapsed, I figured the governor would probably be too busy to meet with me," said Sam, "I am honored to meet with him to celebrate neighbors helping neighbors. I hope it will remind people that while we in Minnesota have neighbors to turn to, it's a whole different ballgame in the gulf where town after town was destroyed."
Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Secretaries of State, Chiefs of Staff and others across the nation have rallied behind the students in their respective states and the work they have done to make the lives of those affected by Katrina a little easier.
"I commend Maddie for taking on this initiative, as her efforts truly make a difference to the citizens of the Gulf region," said Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen. "Maddie stands as a role model proving you’re never too young to take notice and take action. Her work embodies the true spirit of community service."
A year and a half after Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, roughly 90,000 people were still living in 240 square foot trailers, usually three to a trailer. Thousands more are living in their gutted homes, unable to afford to rebuild. "I can’t imagine living in something the size of my garage with my whole family for so long," said Sarah L., a 14-year-old from Iowa who helped design the house-shaped key chains.
According to numbers tracked by RandomKid, kids have already demonstrated the magnitude of their commitment to the gulf. Combining their bake sales, lemonade stands and other creative fundraisers, school kids across the U.S. reported raising more than $10 million in 2005 – 2006 for a variety of hurricane relief and rebuilding charities such as the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Oprah’s Angel Network, Bush Clinton Katrina fund and more.
"The constitution infers that those who have the ability to help others also have the responsibility,"said Sarah. "We plan to live up to that responsibility and help thousands of people in the gulf get back on their feet."
For more information about the awareness campaign and contest for kids, visit www.randomkid.org/gulf.html.
About RandomKid
RandomKid (www.randomkid.org) is a 501c3 non-profit with the mission to take the goodness of the child and turn it into goodness for the world, by helping kids help others. Founded by 12-year-old Talia Leman in 2005 after uniting kids across the U.S. to report more than $10 million for Hurricane Katrina/Rita relief, RandomKid now works to educate, mobilize and empower youth to meaningfully impact a broad spectrum of local, national and global needs. For more information on the positive impact children have made on the world through RandomKid, please visit www.randomkid.org/impact.asp.
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The meeting between students and heads of state are part of a nationwide project sponsored by RandomKid, a non-profit that helps kids help others, which asked students to design an "accessory" to be given to their state officials made by linking house-shaped key chains together, forming such things as ties, belts and suspenders. The key chains were designed by students in Iowa and sold across the nation to raise money for rebuilding charities in the Gulf Coast region.
In Wyoming students sold flower seed packets to raise money for those affected by Katrina and have decided to use their key chains to decorate a flower pot. In Idaho fourth grader Samady D. will create a picture frame for Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter. While English is her second language, Samady knows that helping others has no language barrier and said she is glad she is able to help others.
Kentucky students Celia R. and Tres B. have created a leash for the state’s much loved "first dog" Abby, a West Highland Terrier. Believing that Abby is scheduled to be elsewhere the day of the event, Celia offered to bring a stuffed animal named Daffodil that looks much like Abby. However, schedulers have planned to surprise both students by having Abby make an appearance to meet them.
Despite much tragedy within his own state, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty will meet with ninth grader Sam R. on September 4 in honor of the anniversary. "When the floods hit our state right after the bridge collapsed, I figured the governor would probably be too busy to meet with me," said Sam, "I am honored to meet with him to celebrate neighbors helping neighbors. I hope it will remind people that while we in Minnesota have neighbors to turn to, it's a whole different ballgame in the gulf where town after town was destroyed."
Governors, Lieutenant Governors, Secretaries of State, Chiefs of Staff and others across the nation have rallied behind the students in their respective states and the work they have done to make the lives of those affected by Katrina a little easier.
"I commend Maddie for taking on this initiative, as her efforts truly make a difference to the citizens of the Gulf region," said Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen. "Maddie stands as a role model proving you’re never too young to take notice and take action. Her work embodies the true spirit of community service."
A year and a half after Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, roughly 90,000 people were still living in 240 square foot trailers, usually three to a trailer. Thousands more are living in their gutted homes, unable to afford to rebuild. "I can’t imagine living in something the size of my garage with my whole family for so long," said Sarah L., a 14-year-old from Iowa who helped design the house-shaped key chains.
According to numbers tracked by RandomKid, kids have already demonstrated the magnitude of their commitment to the gulf. Combining their bake sales, lemonade stands and other creative fundraisers, school kids across the U.S. reported raising more than $10 million in 2005 – 2006 for a variety of hurricane relief and rebuilding charities such as the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Oprah’s Angel Network, Bush Clinton Katrina fund and more.
"The constitution infers that those who have the ability to help others also have the responsibility,"said Sarah. "We plan to live up to that responsibility and help thousands of people in the gulf get back on their feet."
For more information about the awareness campaign and contest for kids, visit www.randomkid.org/gulf.html.
About RandomKid
RandomKid (www.randomkid.org) is a 501c3 non-profit with the mission to take the goodness of the child and turn it into goodness for the world, by helping kids help others. Founded by 12-year-old Talia Leman in 2005 after uniting kids across the U.S. to report more than $10 million for Hurricane Katrina/Rita relief, RandomKid now works to educate, mobilize and empower youth to meaningfully impact a broad spectrum of local, national and global needs. For more information on the positive impact children have made on the world through RandomKid, please visit www.randomkid.org/impact.asp.
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RandomKid
Anne Ginther
214-383-4743
www.randomkid.org
Anne Ginther
214-383-4743
www.randomkid.org
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