Students pitch in to aid Darfur

from The Whittier Daily News

By Robert S. Hong, Staff Writer

PASADENA - Local students are doing their part to help out humanity and improve their health by taking money they would normally spend on junk food and sending it to Darfur, Sudan.

The program, "Power of a Penny," is being held in several Pasadena classrooms. It was created three years ago by former Pasadena human relations commissioner Nat Nehdar.

"This can empower them to be a part of humanity," Nehdar said, looking through a door window at a class of fifth-graders at Field Elementary School on Friday.

An avid social activist, Nehdar has made it his life's mission to combat youth violence and get students involved in charitable efforts.

He has lectured students around the city about tolerance and charity and is presently working with students to raise money for Darfur.

Students participating in the program are asked to think twice before spending frivolously and instead save their spare change in a collection bucket in their classrooms.

All the donations are then combined and sent to Darfur at the end of the year.

Nine classes in several different schools are participating this year.

On Friday, Nehdar spoke to Field's students, hoping to raise their interest in the project.

"You are the future of this world," he told the fifth-graders. "We as grown-ups have failed miserably."

Field's students have been the front-runners in the program's three-year history, raising the most funds.

This year, they are hoping to continue that tradition.

"The more we bring in, the more people we can help," said 10-year-old Brianna Reyes. "I'm hoping my class can raise as much as last year."

In the past three years, the program has raised more than $2,500, which has been sent to overseas charities. Nehdar considers that an impressive feat, since it all came from spare change.

And the program is not just about giving to charity but also about learning to be a force for change in society, he said.

"You can make a difference with your pennies and you can make a difference with your attitude toward other people," Human Relations Commissioner David Leming told the students.

And from the looks of a well-stacked penny jar in the classroom, the students are taking the project seriously.

"This brings it home to them," said Manuel Reynosa, a fifth-grade teacher.

Nehdar and Leming also reminded students how fortunate they are for the amenities they have, and told stories of poverty in other countries.

After the presentation, Nehdar received hugs from a few students.

"It's good to help others," said fifth-grader Maima Spearman, 10. "I hope our pennies can save a lot of lives."

robert.hong@sgvn.com