Class project benefits BloomingKids

An entire semester of preparation came to a close for David Rubinstein's LAMP X333 students over the weekend. \nStudents and parents filed into Assembly Hall to play four square to benefit BloomingKids Saturday afternoon. For a $5 admission fee, participants were entered in a raffle to win one of two iPod Shuffles and gift certificates to various local restaurants, with all proceeds going to BloomingKids. \nAll proceeds went to BloomingKids, an organization that works with 60 underprivileged first through fourth graders from Unionville and Fairview Elementary schools. The children have been deemed "at-risk" by their schools, and BloomingKids helps them see that higher education is something they should strive for through learning about cultural diversity and community service. BloomingKids targets children of parents who did not receive higher education. Often, these children would not be exposed to the idea of a college education without the aid of a program like BloomingKids.\nSenior Emily Tharpe came out to support the event at the request of some friends and managed to say between laughs that she was having a great time. \nSenior Tiffany Andrzejewski said she enjoyed helping plan and run the event. Andrzejewski also had a good time watching students and parents alike revert to their childhood. \n"It was fun watching people make up crazy rules when they were in the king spot," Andrzejewski said. "People were having fun and acting silly. It was fun to be a part of." \nRubinstein's class has been working on the organization of this event for almost the entire semester. Students made banners to hang from fraternities and sororities, talked to their friends and went door-to-door to sell tickets. \n"Dr. Rubinstein says you learn by doing," senior Hilary Weimer said. Weimer was the treasurer for the event and said she gained valuable experience in organization and leadership. \nSenior Scott Johnson was at the bars on Kirkwood last Wednesday and Thursday nights gathering support for the cause.\n"We were hoping people would be more liberal with their money," Johnson said of his efforts on Kirkwood. Johnson also contacted the radio station B97 to help spread the word. \n"We didn't know what to expect," Johnson said. "Hopefully this will become an annual thing and we can gain some serious support from students and the community." \nThe students chose BloomingKids after reading an article in class about a 10-year old girl from an impoverished area in Jackson County, Indiana who stumbled upon a methamphetamine lab and was killed by its operator, who didn't believe she would keep his secret. \nRubinstein said he thought the students made a wise decision choosing to support BloomingKids.\n"(We would do) anything we could to support an organization that helps kids escape from unfulfilling lives to get a chance to explore and discover and grow," Rubinstein said.\nRubinstein's class raised $2,500 for BloomingKids. They had hoped to raise $5,000 but Rubinstein reported that he was proud of his students' efforts.\n"I'm crazy about these kids," Rubinstein said. \nExternal president of BloomingKids Caitlin Owens said she was grateful for the students' efforts. \n"We are so thankful for everything LAMP has done for us," Owens said. "A contribution like this will certainly help us accomplish our goals." \n-- Contact Staff Writer Pat Giese at pgiese@indiana.edu.