Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 20, 1992 TAG: 9202200531
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARY JO SHANNON SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
CLUB PROMOTES POSITIVE FUTURE WHILE HAVING FUN
The newly organized Builders Club at Madison Middle School appropriately launched its "Save a Sweetheart," project on Valentine's Day.Club members want to prevent their classmates from smoking.
Smoking on school property is against school regulations but Builders Club officers said smoking occurs, and admit they have friends who smoke.
"Smoking causes cancer," said Anne Vandegriff, treasurer, explaining why the project was chosen, "and I don't want to see my friends hurt."
Brooks Berry, president, explained how the project works. Throughout this week, Builders Club members stationed in the school cafeteria will take pledges from students during the lunch period.
Students promise not to begin smoking, or if they already smoke, to quit within the year. Students are not asked which category applies. Cut-out hearts bearing the names of those who have pledged are displayed in the cafeteria.
This project is the second for Builders, a co-educational service organization, sponsored by Kiwanis International through the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke
Organized in January with seven members, the Madison club now boasts an enrollment of 59. The increase is credited to word of mouth.
"When our friends saw how busy we were and how much fun we were having, they wanted to join," said secretary Dorothy Kennedy.
"Members are here because they want to be, not just because they qualify, like in the Beta Club," said Berry.
January's project was a mitten and hat tree where donations were distributed to less fortunate students at Fallon Park School.
Future projects will include a fund-raising activity. The club will prepare and sell a school calendar, listing activities of interest to middle schoolers. Vice president Jennifer Quam hopes the effort will provide sufficient funds to launch other service-oriented projects.
Builders Clubs were first established by Kiwanis in 1975 for youngsters who are between ages 12 and 15 years and interested in building a positive future for themselves and others. Madison's program is the first in the city, but Roanoke County's Hidden Valley Junior High School has had a Builder's Club since 1989.
Kiwanis also sponsors Key Clubs for high-school youth and Circle K Clubs for the college level. Several members at Madison have siblings who are members of the Patrick Henry High School Key Club.
All activities of this coeducational program reflect the Builders Club motto, "WE BUILD." Faculty sponsors at Madison are Kristina White, guidance coordinator, and Sandy Wrobel, student assistance counselor. Jackie Bledsoe and Mark Kates are Kiwanis sponsors of this first Builders Club in Roanoke.