By Jason Arndt
Correspondent
The idea all started with an elementary school student’s compassion, then led to a newly founded organization at Union Grove Elementary School.
“She told me that she and a couple of other girls in her class were tired of seeing other girls in their class not having anyone to play with,” explained co-founder Tiffany Janicek. “So we started a little club called Helping Hands.”
Janicek, 33, is the mother of the girl who expressed the desire to be of help to her peers at the school. The organization was formed in January after mulling her daughter’s comments for a few days, and then it led to support at the school.
“With the help and support of the staff at Union Grove Elementary, we were able to get care letters out to parents and posters up,” said Janicek.
Helping Hands began with 37 students at the school; it’s now at 27 today due to student commitments to sports and other extra-curricular activities.
A dozen of those 27 students were on hand Monday night at a Village Board meeting to ask for permission to begin a new community garden at the site of the former village hall (see related story, page 3).
Trustees listened intently Monday to the children tell them what they believe in.
“I learned how to make a difference in the community,” said Hayley, a fourth- grade student at the school.
Janicek mentioned to trustees that one person can be of help and the additional support from group members allows students to be more empowered about their beliefs.
“I help people not get bullied so much and not get picked on,” explained third-grader Brielle to the trustees.
After four months as an organization, Helping Hands has garnered a tremendous amount of attention from a variety of different charitable organizations within the community.
The first donation drive came with assistance from Modern Woodmen of America, where students were given a chance to pick out items at WalMart to donate to women and children in need.
“They were concerned about women and children being bullied out of their homes,” Janicek said.
Boys make up the majority of the members of the group.
“I was really surprised by the turnout because most of them are boys,” Janicek said. “Boys get bullied a lot in sports and I did not realize that.”
In response to the concern of most of the boys, Janicek also received help from the Racine Raiders organization.
“A representative from the Raiders came in and spoke to the class and signed autographs,” Janicek said. “I think that really made a difference.”
Offensive Lineman Dustin Svendson spent a day talking with children and answering questions they had during the day’s event.
After the initial efforts, the students spearheaded their own donation drive called “Faithful Fighters Supply Drive,” and received community support in making the effort a success. The Supply Drive benefited Women and Children Horizons of Kenosha.
“We would like to reinforce that one person can make a difference in their very own community,” Janicek said.
For more information on the organization and how to help, please visit their website at www.helpinghandswi.org.
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