One student's mission to make a difference
Anthony H., a second grader in Palmdale, CA, learned about Operation Smile on TV. He was moved to help children and wrote an essay about his plans for the PTA Reflections program titled “I Can Make a Difference By….”
Nice Smile
By Anthony H.
"I can make a difference by helping kids with cleft palate.
I can help them by saving money for an operation.
I saw on TV that all I need is $200 dollars to fix one kid’s face.
I will race the mony by doing a yard sell.
I will sell my toys and clothes that don’t fit me and I will ask every one I now to donate the stuff they don’t need."
Anthony’s desire to raise enough money for one child’s smile moved several teachers and staff at the school and it soon became a much bigger project with a much bigger goal.
Working together, they hoped to raise $1,000 at a yard-sale held in the school. The yard sale was mentioned in the local paper and not only did people come by to purchase yard sale items, others dropped off donations of as much as $200.
Anthony even missed his Little League baseball game to work the yard sale. His coach was inspired by Anthony’s commitment and took up a collection at the game to add to the contributions.
The final tally was $1,976.50 - enough to give eight children new smiles.
“I like it that everybody helped,” said Anthony. “It makes me happy.”
