By Trish Wallace

Jefferson County Suburban Journal

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

 

Amanda Rhodes, 17, has discovered a passion for her community through the American Red Cross after starting a chapter of the YouthCorps at Fox High School.

 

Two years ago, Rhodes and friend Danielle Werle wanted to find an organization that would allow them to participate in community service opportunities.

 

The two researched various groups, most of which required sufficient funding for participation.  They finally decided on the YouthCorps.

 

"It's a very good opportunity for students who don't have a lot of extra money," Rhodes said.

 

Now 15 members strong, the Fox YouthCorps has doubled in size since it began.  Students involved with the program sponsored their first big project last year with the "Measles Initiative."

 

The Red Cross "Measles Initiative" provides vaccinations and mosquito nets to children throughout Africa and Asia.  Every dollar donated to the project is equivalent to one vaccination.  Tim Davidson, Red Cross spokesman, said the project boasts more than an 80 percent success rate with stopping malaria and measles in Africa and Asia.

 

Rhodes said that last year, Fox students donated about $400 to the project and approximately $150 to $200 this year.

 

Of the 10 YouthCorps groups at high schools throughout the St. Louis area, Rhodes' group at Fox is the only YouthCorps in Jefferson County and, according to Davidson, one of the most active in the region.

 

The YouthCorps students at Fox instruct preparedness classes to elementary students.  So far they have only worked with second graders, but next year they hope to teach hand washing and cleanliness procedures to kindergarteners.

 

Some of the members of the YouthCorps are also active with the Disaster Action Team, riding along with emergency workers providing them with juice and cookies at the scene of a crisis or providing clothing to victims.  Several students also helped with the KSHE Radio blood drive in December at the Arnold Recreation Center.

 

Through the YouthCorps, all participating students earn certification in first aid and CPR.

 

Students in the Fox YouthCorps meet after school twice each month.  A representative from the Red Cross attends each meeting.

 

"I think it's a really good opportunity for students who want to be involved with their community," Rhodes said.  "It helps build really great friendships."

 

Davidson said that the Red Cross considers its YouthCorps volunteers the future of the organization.  Last year, YouthCorps members throughout the country educated nearly 6,700 people in disaster education, first aid and CPR.

 

"They provide the energy that an organization like the Red Cross needs to reach out to the community and provide humanitarian relief during disasters," Davidson said.

 

Next year will be Rhodes senior year and last chance to participate in the Fox YouthCorps.  She said that when the school year begins in the fall, the group hopes to dedicate enough time to the "Measles Initiative" to plan a garage sale designed to bring in extra money for the project."