Jackson club is raising funds to build playground
In a social climate where youth often are criticized for greed and self-indulgence, a group of Villa Park students are bucking the stereotype by quietly performing community service with great success.
"They are what make me love my job," said Jackson Middle School teacher Jana Wilkening.
Wilkening is faculty adviser to the school's Builder's Club, which boasts 50 or so members. The club, sponsored by the Villa Park Kiwanis, is a service organization that functions as a replacement for a traditional student council.
Each year, the Builder's Club sponsors a series of student-led fundraisers to benefit various charitable causes.
Past events have netted cash for pediatric AIDS patients at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago and a school devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
This year, however, the club opted to raise much-needed funds for students close to home.
York Center Elementary School, also in District 45, successfully has overcome the challenges presented by a mostly low-income student population.
York Center was designated a National Blue Ribbon school by the U.S. Department of Education in 2006. The award, which is a program of the No Child Left Behind Act, recognizes public and private schools that either are academically superior or have shown a dramatic improvement in student performance.
Sadly, however, the school's limited budget has left its students with a rusty playground that not only is outdated, but also is not as safe as facilities at other District 45 schools.
"I used to think that everybody at every school had the same thing," said eighth-grader Samantha Dando, a Builder's Club member for two years.
Samantha learned that isn't necessarily the case when she attended a Kiwanis-sponsored breakfast last May.
A group of York Center students and faculty showed a video documenting the dilapidated playground.
Builder's Club members were surprised -- and moved -- by the great needs of a school in their very own district. They decided that money raised during the 2007-08 school year would be earmarked exclusively for Project Big Brother, an initiative aimed at building a new playground for York Center School.
The new playground will cost about $50,000. It's not a small undertaking, but the students are determined. The youngsters already have raised nearly $14,000. The Speh Foundation, which serves underprivileged children, also has pledged $5,000 to the project.
York Center Principal Nancy Munoz is so encouraged, she's scanning equipment catalogs with her first real hope of a purchase.
Seventh-grade club members Nicholas Baumann and Christine McComb have been inspired by the project.
"This has really opened my eyes," Nicholas said.
"I don't complain anymore," Christine added.
The club hopes that the same inspiration will catch on in the community, too. One upcoming event will give local residents just that opportunity.
The Builder's Club will hold the Project Big Brother Fun Fair from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Jackson Middle School, 301 W. Jackson St., Villa Park. Tickets cost $5 in advance, $7 at the door and are free for children 3 and younger. Game tickets also will be sold at the door.
The event will include games, face-painting, a photo booth, a chance to dunk local principals, a band and much more.
There also will be live and silent auctions with prizes such as items autographed by Jackson alum Matt Roth, who plays for the Miami Dolphins, and Green Bay Packers' quarterback Brett Favre; Cubs tickets; a parking spot and reserved seats for Jackson's graduation; restaurant gift certificates; a barbershop quartet performance; and decorative items.
The fair is the club's invitation to the public to participate in the altruistic effort students say has taught them lifelong values.
"I will volunteer in the future," said seventh-grader Braden Poapst. "I'm happy to do something to help."
Another seventh-grader, Grace Pakeltis, echoed Braden's sentiment.
"It's nice to know you can help," Grace added. "Without a playground, recess isn't any fun, and (recess) is usually the best part of a kid's day."
For information or to make a donation to Project Big Brother, call (630) 516-7600.
If you go
What: Project Big Brother Fun Fair sponsored by the Jackson Middle School Builder's Club
When: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday
Where: Jackson Middle School, 301 W. Jackson St., Villa Park
Cost: Tickets cost $5 in advance, $7 at the door, free for children 3 and younger. Game tickets also will be sold at the door. Proceeds will help build a new playground at York Center Elementary School.
Details: (630) 516-7600