Timmy Foundation focuses on charity

The members of the IU Timmy Foundation get together every other Tuesday night to talk about new opportunities to help out their community and the world around them. \nThe foundation's goal is to educate children about health issues and provide health care to those in need of medical attention. The group relies heavily on volunteers and is made up of about 250 students at the IU chapter alone. The foundation is also prominent on many other campuses around the United States. \nVolunteers contribute either small donations of over-the-counter medicines or they can offer their time during spring break to help out on mission trips. \nDavid Bower, one of the foundation's student leaders, said one of his favorite events is reaching out to children at a Bloomington school. \n"The foundation gets together and goes out to Templeton Elementary School," he said. "We give a presentation on the importance of health issues, like checking blood pressure. The elementary students really get into it. They like the tools we use." \nThe national foundation began in 1997 when Dr. Charles Dietzen began helping children in need of medical attention in Haiti and India. Dr. Dietzen named his foundation in memory of his brother, Timmy, who died at a young age. Not only does the group focus on community projects, but it also travels abroad to other countries. As of now, the organization is planning spring break trips to Pikesville, Ky., the Dominican Republic and Honduras. However, by attending, students aren't entirely giving up their spring break. The foundation has planned events that will entertain the members in between mission work.\nThese students will be reaching out to these areas in hope to make a difference in the people's lives. Tim Webb, a student co-leading the Honduras trip, presented the goal of the journey: "Not only to help the people but interact with the people," he said. \nTimmy Foundation volunteers interact with the members of the community to bring a peaceful atmosphere as well as to provide medical attention to those in need. Students also have the chance to give the gift of knowledge and share what they've learned on the trip.\nStudents who go on these trips must first fill out an application on why and what they can bring to the group. First-time member Scott Sandilands was inspired by a recent foundation meeting. \n"I'm interested in the Dominican Republic trip. It sounds like an adventure," he said. "I'm up for the challenge." \nThe organization is currently working on "Trick-or-treat for Timmy," which takes place in the surrounding neighborhoods of Bryan Park. The club puts trick-or-treat bags to be filled with canned goods on doorsteps. On Oct. 30, the members will go out dressed in costumes and collect the bags filled with cans. \nFor more information about joining the Timmy Foundation, go to www.timmyfoundation.org.