Before either of them can say they’ve reached true adulthood, Lingle-Fort Laramie High School students Callie and David Engelbrecht will have made a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of people half-a-world away.

After seeing television images of earthquake devastated areas of Haiti, the brother and sister duo took it upon themselves to organize a school-wide blanket drive to help bring relief to some of the millions affected by the quake.

“We just wanted to give them something comforting; something to lay on at night to sleep. A lot of people there have no homes and are just sleeping on the streets.” Callie, a junior at L-FL, said.

The pair organized the project as part of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), a nationwide club that challenges youth to develop leadership through Family and Consumer Sciences education and projects.

So far, students have donated 101 blankets to the Engelbrechts’ charity drive – just passing the 100 mark David said he set as a goal when planning the project.

Callie said the idea for a blanket drive came during a brainstorming session with her mother, but that her and David planned everything else for the event. She said she knew how competitive students are and wanted to focus that energy into a contest.

For the complete article see the 03-09-2010 issue.

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