These days, we could all use some good news. And in the face of COVID-19, kids are delivering, eager to give back and help their communities in a time of great need. Their stories and actions are inspiring, reminding us how acts of kindness from a few can compound to create a better situation for many. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite examples here:
- High school junior and Private Prep student Abby Pashkoff wrote, illustrated, and self-published a picture book for children to help them better understand COVID-19. Proceeds from the book are being donated to Save the Children’s Coronavirus Relief Fund.
- When schools closed in the spring, California-based high school junior Emme Shaffer got some friends together and started tutoring kids online for free. Now, she and her friends provide children ages K-8 in her area free virtual lessons seven days a week.
- In Florida, the K-8 students of A.D. Henderson University Lab School and the freshman through senior classes of Florida Atlantic University (FAU) High School joined forces to print 3D face shields, intubation chambers, and ear savers for medical personnel. Using campus printers and observing strict social distancing measures, they’ve worked together to print over 1000 to-date.
- Armed with an acoustic guitar, 7-year-old Piper Yates hosted a musical fundraiser for passersby at the end of her driveway to benefit patients at a Delaware children’s hospital. When her story was picked up on social media, her message spread, resulting in over $7,000 raised for the cause.
- In Massachusetts, the France family has been sending handmade cards to seniors who are quarantined in assisted living facilities. Siblings Madilyn, 10, Olivia, 9, Cameron, 7 and Jack, 4, are working together to write letters and draw pictures for the elderly, many of whom have been unable to see loved ones since the beginning of the crisis.
- Gauge Watson, a 12-year-old Boy Scout from Ohio taught himself how to use a sewing machine to make masks for first responders. He’s now made over 160 masks for local police and firefighters as well as members of the community.
- Private Prep student Emily Milgrim, started @friendsofthefrontline on Instagram and Friends of the Frontline Nassau on Facebook to collect physical and virtual cards of appreciation for first-responders. An aspiring healthcare professional herself, Emily was inspired to show first-responders the gratitude they deserve. She’s collected and had delivered hundreds of cards so far made by people of all ages.
- An Oregon high school junior, Eric Kim, lost the hearing in his left ear a year ago. As a volunteer at an elementary school for the hearing-impaired, he became concerned about the ability of hearing-impaired children to communicate using regular masks and set out to make clear plastic masks for them.
- At The Coding Space, a Private Prep partner, more than 30 coders between the ages of 7 and 12 are using their programming skills to help other early elementary students understand math, reading, and writing concepts through technology. Their projects are part of the Code 4 Change challenge: Kids Teaching Kids.
Do you know of a child donating, supporting, or giving back to their community right now? If so, we want to know more. Share their story with us and we may give them a shoutout on our social media.
