1. APRIL, 20166 MICHIGAN K.I.D.S. | WWW.DNIE.COM
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T
he Yak is always on the lookout for good news about young
people so when he read about second-grader Isiah Britt and
his efforts to help kids in Flint (in the Washington Post), the Yak
wanted to share his story with you.
And what a cool story it is. Here’s the background: Isiah, is a
seven-year-old from Gainesville, Virginia, about 30 minutes outside
Washington, D.C. Two and a half months ago, he was just going
about his business – playing with friends, doing homework and
going to soccer practice – you know, all of the usual stuff. Then
he had an idea to do a project about fresh water. “My friends did
a project on an eco system and they didn’t do freshwater yet, so I
thought I could do that,” he told Yak’s Corner in a recent phone call.
And at the dinner table, while sharing that idea with his parents, his
mom, Danielle Britt, told him about the Flint water crisis that was
making national news. “I wanted to do a project about fresh water
but then my mom told me a lot about Flint, Michigan,” said Isiah.
The next morning Isiah woke up inspired and told his parents he
wanted to do a project for Flint, and help donate bottled water. He
got a pen and pad of paper and began writing down ideas before
school. His dad, Kensley Dougan, showed him some news clips
online to help him learn more about what was going on.
At school, Isiah told his principal he wanted to do a project
to help Flint and she advised him to work out his ideas and the
logistics of his plan, explained his dad. By the time he got home
from school, he was ready to take action.
He called Eisenhower Elementary in Flint and told the school
secretary, Lisa Palermo, that he wanted to help donate bottled water
to the school. “But I told him another need we were looking into
was hand sanitizer,” said Ms. Palermo. Isiah said he would write a
letter to help get donations for the school. “The next day his dad
called me and said they had partnered with Purell, and were in the
process of sending out Purell canisters with refill containers for each
of the classrooms,” marveled Ms. Palermo. “It’s been a wonderful
donation,” and one that is used every day and throughout the day,
said Ms. Palermo. “Every time I hear his name, it just brings chills
to me knowing the conversation I had with him,” says Ms. Palermo
of her interaction with Isiah. Eisenhower Principal Rachel L. Turner
was equally touched by Isiah’s care and concern for Flint students.
She says she took time to write him a thank you letter, as she does
for every donation, but this one was extra special. “I told him that it
only takes one person to make that move, to do good, and it doesn’t
matter how old you are…” said Principal Turner. “I just praised him
for his fortitude and his efforts and his ability to move at a time when
we needed it.”
Bigger goals
In addition to contacting Purell, his family helped him set up a
Go Fund Me page online. Within a week, Isiah said they had raised
more than $500, which was his original goal. And when we talked
last week, the donations were at $14,661, and climbing – plus
cases and cases of Purell hand-sanitizing products for Flint schools
had been donated! They have also sent care packages of hand-
Isiah Britt holds up The Washington Post Metro section. He was featured in
the newspaper for his campaign to help provide hand sanitizer products to
Eisenhower Elementary School in Flint.
Photos Courtesy of Danielle Britt
In March, Isiah Britt appeared on The Rachael Ray Show. Isiah poses
with host Rachael Ray, who surprised him with a big donation from
Purell for his efforts to help kids, and his parents, Kensley Dougan
and Danielle Britt.
Kids Making News
Second grader has helping hand, big heart for Flint