Circle K combats child poverty

In an attempt to combat child poverty, IU's Circle K club is heading an effort to collect coats for needy families. This month, the community service group is promoting its project titled "Protecting Our Future: The Children of Indiana."\nProgram organizer Melissa Schmidt said Circle K International is a collegiate service organization with a worldwide membership. She said the group promotes fellowship, leadership and service.\nThe Coat-a-Kid phase of the project is requesting donations of new or gently used children's coats, which will later be distributed by the Shalom Community Center. Several local churches will be accepting items through Nov. 23, including Cherry Hill Christian Center at 417 E. 16th St. Donations of scarves, hats and mittens also are welcome.\n"Poor children are at least twice as likely as non-poor children to suffer stunted growth or lead poisoning, or to be kept back in school. Poor children score significantly lower on reading, math and vocabulary tests when compared with otherwise-similar non-poor children," according to the Children's Defense Fund Web site, www.childrensdefense.org.\nAccording to the Web site, one in 10 children live in poverty in Indiana. A family of three is considered to be living in poverty if its annual income is below $14,630. Many of these families cannot afford to buy extra clothing for their children.\n"Monroe County, in particular, has the highest level of poverty of any county in Indiana," vice president of service and sophomore Elizabeth Ralph said.\nCircle K is trying to meet the needs of these children through this and a variety of other upcoming programs. An earlier phase of the Protecting Our Future campaign involved a canned food drive in conjunction with the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. Plans are also underway for the final phase, which will collect baby shower items in mid-February for new mothers in the community.\n"The phase will be an event to collect items such as diapers, bottles or clothing for new mothers who are in need of assistance getting on their feet," Schmidt said. \nStudent involvement in Circle K is encouraged because it is entirely governed by University students. Sponsorship comes from the Bloomington Kiwanis Club, as well as help with fund-raising activities. Involvement allows students to develop leadership abilities and make connections with other students around the globe.\nThe stated mission of Circle K is "developing college and university students into responsible citizens and leaders with a lifelong commitment to serving the children of the world," according to the Circle K Web site, www.circlek.org.\nThere are 14 Circle K clubs in Indiana. Other organizations affiliated with the Kiwanis Club include Key Club International, which targets high school students, and the junior high and middle school-oriented Builders Club. Each group offers a commitment to those in need.\n"The ideal Indiana will never be possible unless we raise awareness of the needs and, more important, envision the possibilities for children in Indiana," Schmidt said.\nFor more information about IU Circle K, visit php.indiana.edu /~circlek/.\n-- Contact staff writer Tim Callahan at tmcallah@indiana.edu.