Whiz Kids: Angells Join Crafty Hands to Help Japan

Abby Richards and Ava Blumling

Age: Third grade

School:

Accomplishment: "(Best friends) Abby and Ava were surprised and saddened by the news of what was happening in Japan as a result of the earthquake, aftershocks and tsunami there," said Abby's mom, Celeste Richards of Berkley. On the Saturday after the quake, the two buddies went to church and had a subsequent sleepover. It was decided during the sleepover that they must do something to help the people of Japan, and they sprang into action.

Their plan was to get Angell Elementary School Principal Chris Sandoval to approve a "Jump for Japan" initiative, in which they would make pins decorated with red and white beads to represent Japan's flag, as well as beaded bookmark slides. With Sandoval's permission, they would sell their wares at the school's bake and bagel sale and donate the funds to the American Red Cross to help efforts in Japan.

"They were so excited to help in whatever way they could and got moving on it fast," Richards said. "They bought their supplies and cemented their ideas on Sunday, received permission to host the sale and made a poster on Monday and made all the pins/bookmarks Tuesday for Wednesday's sale."

The girls' efforts helped to get the ball rolling for more fundraisers at Angell and generated more than $125 in donations, Richards said. 

Joining their lead

Angell also is planning a Coin War today, a Principal Pie Toss on March 31 and a Dance for Japan on April 21.

The Coin War runs until March 30 and will pit one class against the other to raise relief funds. Each class will collect pennies in a bucket; students will be able to sabotage other classes by putting silver coins and dollars into their buckets, which will count against the pennies that class has collected. Students from the winning Coin War class will all get a free toss during the Principal Pie Toss.

Sandoval laughed when asked how many pies he thought would be tossed at him. "At least 22," he said, because all of the students in the winning class get a shot at him. "We made it as an incentive for the kids."

He said he is proud of how the school has stepped up to meet the challenge of helping others.

"I think that what's unique about our school is that we have a lot of parental support. I'm anticipating it will be a pretty big event," he said about the pie toss.

The charge to help those in need with the pie toss, Coin War and dance all started with Abby and Ava.

"They are just really good kids," Sandoval said.

He said he is impressed that the girls presented him with the project just days after the catastrophe in Japan.

"What's neat about it is they came up with, created and sold these items all on their own," he said.

Some of the funds raised will go to the Japanese Society of Detroit, Sandoval said, which knows of organizations in Japan to which the group can disseminate the money. Other funds will go to the Red Cross and Salvation Army, he said.

Two students at Angell have parents who are Japanese nationals, so the cause is near and dear to the school community. Sandoval said he is also part Japanese.

"Our community and parents are awesome," he said beaming. "They really pull through."

Key to awesomeness: Richards said Abby and Ava have "a passion for loving and serving others — and crazy-creative talent."