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Kids Helping Kids

Kids from Paint Creek Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Rochester Michigan make cookies for the K4AK project. From Left to Right: Lucas Thomas, Paige Benard, Tammy Benard, and Matthew Benard.

"We're making Christmas ornaments to raise money to send to the kids in Afghanistan," said nine year old Shirley Thomas. "We're going to help them go to school and help them get books."

The Paint Creek Unitarian children spent a Sunday afternoon making and decorating the cookie ornaments. Next they will offer them to the community for a donation. Rochester parade goers will have an opportunity to meet the kids and shop for these ornaments on Sunday, December 5 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the

Paint Creek Café in the American Legion Hall, 234 Walnut, Third and Walnut Streets in downtown Rochester.

"Our kids wanted to help the Afghan kids even though they live thousands of miles away. The kids from Paint Creek saw the contrast between what they have and what the kids in Afghanistan have. They wanted to help. Making salt dough cookie ornaments to raise community sounded like a good idea," said Carol Christensen, member of Paint Creek Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

Five year old Brandon Bernard told his grandma what he had learned about the Afghan kids, "They don't have shoes. They play with rocks instead of balls. It almost made me cry."

Kids 4 Afghan Kids was founded in 1998 by Northville teacher, Khris Nedam and her sixth grade students. After hearing about the life of Afghan children, these youngsters wanted to provide an education and improve health. A few months ago, PCUUC invited Nedam to share her stories and they were moved to join the thousand of people who have funded this worthy charity. Kids4AfghanKids.com can provide more information about this outstanding humanitarian effort--the building of an elementary school, health clinic, dorm for orphans, guest house, well house, kitchen, and depot for supplies.

The kids of PCUUC offered the ornaments for donation during the Rochester Parade on Dec. 5, 2004. Special thanks to Marie Talarico for her persistent efforts to explain the ornament project to everyone that would stop to listen. The fine table display of photographs and Marie's efforts raised almost $300 during the parade. The Benard family also purchased many ornaments to give to family and friends for Christmas gifts. The PCUUC kids were pleased to raise $520 to help make a difference in the lives of Afghan Kids. For more information, www.paintcreek.org or 248-656-8219.

WISH?

(Will Intolerance Stop Here?) is a student group at Brighton High School in Brighton, Michigan dedicated to figuring out how to help people get along with each other better. In March 2004 we decided to raise money to help the group „Kids 4 Afghan Kids‰. We chose to sell cheesecakes that we purchased from The Cheesecake Shoppe in St. Clair Shores, MI. We organized this fundraiser after hearing a presentation by Ms.Khris Needham at our school&Mac226;s Diversity Day last year. We wanted to help the kids in Afghanistan go back to school and get new books and a better education. Our fundraiser was an excellent success. We are very thankful to everyone who purchased cheesecakes from us or donated money to us. As a result of our efforts we raised $670 for Kids 4 Afghan Kids.

Belgium, THANK YOU!

After the fundraising done last year by " Lycee Jean Absil " in Brussels, now another High School in Brussels raised over $5000 for the kids at Jamaludin Wardak ! We thank every teacher and every student who participated in the " March for Wardak" last April. Thank you Kim for introducing the project at " Institut Montjoie", thank you Manu and Pascale for organizing this march of 600 Kids for Afghan Kids, thank you Juniors of 5A Class with Fatou and Sanjin who contributed more than $400!
Julie will see you in September and bring greetings and thanks of the Afghan students.

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