Language arts lesson inspires teens to help hospitalized children

February 21, 2006

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — Students at Silverado Middle School in Roseville are the first contributors to this year's “Coins for Kids” fundraising drive for UC Davis Children's Hospital. The school's seventh grade classes were reading Freak the Mighty as part of a language arts lesson. Characters in the novel who are disabled provide lessons in acceptance and empathy for youth living with emotional and physical hardships. The book inspired teacher Lisa Stanley and her language arts classes to plan a walkathon and request pledges of spare change to help children being treated at the children's hospital. They collected $5,539 - the largest single “Coins for Kids” donation to date.

“I can't imagine a better way to bring the themes of our class assignment to life,” said Stanley. “When we were discussing the novel, I asked my students how many of them had been in the hospital or knew someone who was. Nearly all of them raised their hands. I simply had to turn that personal connection into an understanding of how literature connects with our lives and how they can do something meaningful for their community at the same time.”

More than 250 individuals and organizations - from the Sacramento Metro Fire District to Starbucks - are currently collecting change for “Coins for Kids” from friends, family and co-workers. Participants will gather to empty their coin bags at a “Cash Bash” on February 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Marriott Courtyard, 4422 Y Street, Sacramento. Stanley and her students will receive special recognition at the Bash for their creative and spirited approach to the fundraiser and support for hospitalized children.

While Stanley found “Coins for Kids” and suggested it as an activity to the language arts teaching team, the students decided on the walkathon as the best way to earn the largest possible donation. Jacquelyn Kay-Mills, manager of the “Coins for Kids” and Radiothon programs for the UC Davis Children's Hospital, is thrilled the campaign is reaching younger participants.

“We are honored that middle school students showed so much enthusiasm,” said Kay-Mills. “We just knew they were going to do a great job for kids who are just like them but unfortunately are not as lucky in terms of the health issues they are dealing with. What they accomplished should certainly encourage others to start collecting coins.”

In addition to the “Cash Bash,” coin drop-off opportunities run throughout this year's UC Davis Children's Hospital Radiothon, which begins on Thursday, February 23, at 5:30 a.m. and ends on Saturday, February 25, at midnight. Those who want to donate can stop by the UC Davis Children's Hospital, which is located at 2315 Stockton Blvd., at any time during the event to empty their pocket change in conveniently located collection sites. Anyone who registers in advance and collects over $100 receives a free T-shirt. Call Jacquelyn Kay-Mills at (916) 734-9192 for registration details. For more information on Radiothon, including a list of participating stations, visit www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/children. 

UC Davis Children's Hospital is the region's only comprehensive hospital for children. From primary-care offices to specialty and intensive care clinics, pediatric experts provide compassionate care to more than 74,000 children each year. UC Davis also offers the only level 1 pediatric trauma center in northern California. Children's Miracle Network (CMN), sponsors of “Coins for Kids” and Radiothon, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for children's hospitals. CMN has so far provided more than $10 million to its local affiliate, UC Davis Children's Hospital, for research, education and patient care programs.