By Mike McGraw
Executive Director
When we think of young people performing community service, we normally envision them providing labor to a well-established charity. We certainly don’t think of them establishing their own charitable effort.
Nonetheless, that is exactly what Sydney Sturdevant of Lawrence Central High School did this past school year.
Sydney, a member of the girls swimming team, started a coat drive. She planned the effort, organized it, executed it, and oversaw the distribution of the coats that were donated. That was no easy task because they collected more than 600 coats.
The impetus for this outstanding effort came from a church camp that Sturdevant attended last summer. The result of it is a nomination for a St. Vincent Spirit of Sport Award in the category of Service to the Poor. We think you will find her story fascinating.