Commentary - The present is overlooked

By Jesse Groettum, Alexandria, MN

As a freshman I have not made a big difference, other than volunteering. I have helped at cleaning my local road ditch and helping with Community Education in Alexandria. I’ve been told I can do good things for the community and intend to keep that promise someday. How I know I can keep it is by example from other kids who inspire me; they took a situation and made it reality. I plan to be like these kids, from Jacob Head to Ayomide Soleye.

Ayomide Soleye is an 11-year-old boy that donated more than $1,500, made from selling his toys, to a hospital that helped him when he was 8. Ayomide came up with the idea himself, using his own money and sending letters to school-mates, asking them to donate as well. People are seeing what Ayomide is doing and are donating, wanting to help. He is making that change just as other kids can do.

Maddie and Ashley McFreely are twins that were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a young age and have learned to live with it. As sophomores they are making a big difference by raising $57,000, which they donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Each year the girls collect donations from family, friends, neighbors and others to raise money for things like walks for diabetes and such. The girls also maintain sports and schoolwork. This shows that making a difference can happen whereever.

Ryan Hreljec decided to bring that change to developing countries when he was 6. Ryan learned about the importance of safe, clean water and decided to raise money to build a well in Africa. Since his success he has made more than 700 wells possible, helping communities in Africa. Other kids as young as Ryan are doing great things as well for the world.

Eight-year-old Jacob Head observed a homeless man and asked his mom to give the man money, but his mother said he would spend it wrongly; so he decided to help in another way. Jacob and his twin brothers collected blankets, hats and scarves and gave them to homeless people. The next year Jacob collected water bottles and filled three milk jugs with coins, all for the homeless.

As my generation gets older, new generations come in to change what we changed for the better. I could only hope this letter inspires one child to do something for the better. Whether it is in the community or on a global scale, help is help. When I have children I hope for them to do great things. I also hope they will have kids and tell them to do great things. Inspiration is what makes things happen.

Kids are told that in the future they will be doing amazing or wonderful things for the world, but what about now? Children all across the world are making a difference and none of their voices are heard and that needs to be changed. At a young age, kids need to be heard because the future is what we’re going to turn it into. The crazy ideas we have now will one day be the future, and we need to help that vision; make a difference.

Tags: opinion, commentary