Fresno ‘Teens That Care’ give back to elementary students
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno Teens That Care surprised Pinedale Elementary students on Tuesday presenting their junior penpals with free scooters and helmets.
President of Teens That Care, Jenny Ganson, says the teens and their Pinedale pen pals had been exchanging letters throughout the entire school year, and the big surprise also served as a formal introduction.
Ganson says the program randomly matches roughly 68 pen pals from Teens That Care with Pinedale sixth graders.
“It’s really nice because I think they get to be somewhat of a mentor to these sixth graders,” Ganson said, “especially giving them words of wisdom as they get ready to go to junior high.”
According to Ganson, this is the first year Teens That Care partnered with Pinedale Elementary. Ganson says that they have previously partnered with Kirk Elementary and Webster Elementary to connect pen pals.
Blair Looney with the Rotary Club of Fresno says every year the Community Project Committee at the Rotary Club accepts grants from organizations within the community. He says the Teens That Care came to the Rotary with a proposal for 68 helmets and scooters – and the Rotary agreed to pledge $2,500 towards the cause.
“It’s a great use for this money,” Looney said. “Many of these kids don’t have the resources to get their own scooter – so we know they’re going to take care of it.”
James Halier and Kendall Desmond are first-year penpals at Teens That Care; they say it’s fun for them to be a part of something greater.
“This is my favorite thing about Teens That Care,” Halier said. “It feels great.”
Desmond says since she doesn’t have a younger sibling, participating in the pen pal program gives her an experience that feels like that kind of relationship.
“It’s almost like having the little sibling that I never had for a day,” Desmond says, “she’s been so sweet – I’m excited to get to meet her.”
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
